“The bandoneon is an incredible instrument. In the hands of a skillful master it weeps, sings, screams out of passion and sometimes whispers with a hoarse voice. Henrik Sandås is a true master of the art of playing the bandoneon. In his playing both feeling and expression are always strongly present. Overall, this is made possible through the unprecedented technical virtuosity of mr. Sandås.”
Jussi Mattila, Savon Sanomat 20.9.2016
Henrik Sandås is considered to be one of Finland’s leading tango nuevo specialists and is also increasingly making his mark as arranger and orchestrator for different ensembles. In recent years he has performed particularily as soloist with symphony orchestras in Finland an abroad as part of his many symphonic projects featuring music by Piazzolla, De Caro, Arolas and others in his new symphonic renditions. Sandås is also known as the bandoneonist of Quartet Ajaton and Henrik Sandås Quintet.
Sandås plays argentinian tango and tango nuevo, transcriptions from the baroque era as well as contemporary art music for his instrument. Sandås is also known as a versatile improviser. He has commissioned and premiered several works by contemporary Finnish and international composers, e.g. Max Savikangas, Øyvind Mæland, Timothy Page, Markku Klami, Kirmo Lintinen, Jukka Linkola and Kari Ikonen.
Sandås is the winner of the international Frosini Grand Prix competition in Stockholm 1998 (concert accordion) and the international Libertango -competition in Lanciano, Italy 2007 (bandoneon, Tanguedia Quintet). He has performed in Finland, Sweden, France, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Uruguay, Estonia, Latvia and Russia as solo recitalist, orchestra soloist and chamber musician. He has played as soloist together with Tapiola Sinfonietta, UMO Jazz Orchestra, The Orchestra of the Finnish National Opera, the Orchestra of the Aachen Opera, Solti Chamber Orchestra, Seinäjoki City Orchestra, Lappeenranta City Orchestra, Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, Lapland Chamber Orchestra, Murmansk Philharmonic Orchestra, Mikkeli Orchestra, Lohja City Orchestra and Sinfonietta Lentua. He is also regularily invited to perform as soloist or together with different ensembles at music festivals in Finland and abroad.
Future engagements include e.g. a number of concerts at various music festivals in Finland and abroad and also several recording projects.
