About Duo Naranjo-Weurlander

“…world class duo with passion, sadness, virtuosity and impetuous joy…” 

Tania Naranjo’s and Minna Weurlander’s paths crossed through their shared love of Tango Nuevo. It was of course more than just the geographical distance that separated Minna’s childhood in Finland from Tania’s childhood in Chile. Duo Naranjo-Weurlander is a cross-border duo in a broad sense. Although their music originates from two different cultures, there are more things that unite than separate them. The intensity, the power, the melancholy and the expressive phrasings are a common feature in their music. They have ability to rapidly vacillate from duo playing into functioning as one body with a seemingly common thought and direction. Through a large number of concerts they know each other’s instincts so well that they simply let the music flow.

Duo Naranjo-Weurlander’s second album as a duo – Infinity –(2017) is a journey through their musical roots, as well as a collection of original compositions reflecting their individual lives and experiences. Through a constant search for new expression in delivery and composition, the Duo have created their own unique sound and genre. Their music is deeply personal – full of lust and nostalgia, virtuosity and restraint – creating a landscape of sound that presents the listener with an almost cinematic experience. After their first album – Entwined – the Duo have been touring extensively in and outside of Europe, performing at a large array of international venues. From world renowned concert halls and theaters to tiny jazz clubs – their powerful performances and compositions have impressed audiences and critics the world over. They have appeared multiple times on Swedish National Radio and television.

Both Naranjo and Weurlander have long been recognized as strong profiles and performers on the classical, world and jazz music scenes.  Now they have also taken their place as composers in their own right. They have worked on music commissioned for theatre, television, cinema and ensemble pieces. Duo Naranjo-Weurlander is based in Sweden.

TANIA NARANJO grew up in Santiago, Chile. Early on she came in contact with, and developed a strong passion for, Classical piano and Chilean folk music. Tania is an established pianist and singer living in Sweden and has performed her own music       worldwide in solo concerts, with symphony orchestras and with her own constellations. In Tania’s compositions and her musical expression there is room for a driving rhythm along with creativity and improvisation which can be heard i.e. on her solo album “La industria del miedo ” . Her music is inspired by jazz, Argentine tango, 20^th century modern composers and urban Chilean music along with Andean folk music. 

MINNA WEURLANDER is today considered as one of the Europe’s leading and most multifaceted concert accordionists. The charismatic accordion virtuoso was born and raised in Finland. Music brought her to Sweden where she is active as a concert accordionist and composer. She works with everything from symphony orchestras to contemporary, experimental dance and theater along with film productions. She has also extensive proficiency of leading ensembles and music productions.

Minna will perform as  bandmaster and accordionist in May 2021 at Malmö Opera, PHILIP GLASS´s new opera “CIRCUS DAYS AND NICHTS”.

Minna frequently experiments with the accordion’s various sonorities, its percussive qualities and massive sound. Her music and her musical expression  has been heavily influenced by the Russian classical accordion tradition,  organ music  and of course by the contemporary Tango. Minna has previously released three solo albums, “Usva” and “Señora del Destino”and “GLOW” accordion & string quartet.