“As the English translation of their second album Volando suggests, Toronto-based Payadora takes 'flight' on this love letter to the melodic and rhythmic traditions of tango. Wolkstein's violin slinks and sashays across the dance floor. "A celebration of tango's elasticity-a precise and vibrant reimagining of Brahm' Hungarian Dance No. 1. As gypsy accordion and corkscrew violin whirl around the campfire, romance and whimsy dance cheek to cheek, and mercurial mood swings seem free and easy.” -Strings Magazine, May 2018.

“Toronto chamber music ensemble Payadora plays amazing music. A celebration of Argentinean and Uruguayan tango and folk music.” Stratford Beacon Herald 2023

“The group has assembled a thoroughly enjoyable set of tunes for this, their second album. “Niebla Oscura” is one of several original compositions on the album and was composed by the album’s producer Drew Jurecka. This quieter, more meditative composition gives all four musicians a chance to shine and share varied aspects of their talents; it has the feel of chamber music rather than tango. “Volando” was composed by the group’s violinist, Rebekah Wolkstein. The piece is well constructed and builds from a suspenseful beginning to a dramatic climax. “Tavasz,” written by pianist Robert Horvath, brings a hint of his native Hungary to the table in a lovely piano solo before the rest of the group enters. “Adios Muchachos / I Get Ideas” blends the sounds of tango and jazz seamlessly in a luscious stew, while “La Humilde” and “Nostalgias Tucumanas” offer fun interpretations of two Argentinian folk songs. The album closes with a surprising and awesome reading of Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 1 that I find utterly addictive – like the whole project. Even if you aren’t familiar with tango music, this album provides an accessible introduction to the genre by four hugely talented musicians who clearly have a passion for it. Highly, highly recommended." -From CD review by The Great Dark Wonder, January 2018.

“Centred on the large repertoire drawn from the Buenos Aires tango tradition, Payadora has not neglected homegrown talents, premiering its pianist Horvath’s first tango composition Tavasz... The work began with a slow free tempo exploration on the piano, but then gained steam propelled by the tango rhythm, relying on virtuoso interplay between all four instrumentalists. In addition to tango, Payadora also performed two Argentinian vernacular dance music genres which received polished, sophisticated renderings by the musicians and served to expand the audience’s appreciation of that country’s musical expression beyond that of the tango. The intimate Gallery 345 concert closed with an enthusiastic encore. It was clear that Payadora’s fans – attracted by its musicians’ playful unforced technical virtuosity, rhythmic precision, and evident commitment to the tango repertoire and ethos – are ready for much more”- From Andrew Timar's review for the Whole Note Magazine, May, 2017.

“Payadora is a welcome addition to the performance scene. The group exhibits the highest degree of professionalism, with lyrical and technical agility evident when required. Payadora fills a unique niche and is a joy to experience.” Joseph Macerollo, Canadian classical accordion icon, recipient of the Order of Canada (2014)

“Toronto-based Payadora Tango Ensemble showcase their enormous respect for the style and their phenomenal performing talents in a jam-packed 12 tango release. Payadora’s musicians are each superstars in their own right. Together they each remain as soloists yet with superb individual listening skills blend tightly as an ensemble. A welcome diverse collection of tango music performed with detailed musical nuances. Enjoy this timeless release!”- From CD review by Tiina Kiik for Whole Note Magazine November, 2105.

“The capacity audience leapt to their feet cheering, whistling and calling for encores after a totally moving and energizing concert. Each composition was so different and unique from the others ... all with first-class orchestral accompaniments showcasing this new, vibrant and ultra-talented ensemble!”- Daniel Warren, conductor, after the concert with London Symphonia, March, 2017

“Payadora’s concert presented by Group of 27 was a huge hit! The place was packed, the music was fantastic, and the audience loved it ... Can’t wait to have them back!” -Eric Paetkau, conductor, music director of Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra. April, 2015.

“It was difficult to tell who was having more fun – the audience or the performers!”- From a concert review by Judith Caldwell for Ontario Arts Review. November, 2015.

“Payadora is a full-on epic masterful musical experience!” -John Bailey, recording and mixing engineer. November, 2015.

“The players are first rate and together they elevate the tango to such an extent that you don’t want the concert to end. Beautiful music, beautifully played-who could ask for more?” -Artist Director of Kingston Road Village Concert Series 2014

“With Influences from Argentina to Eastern Europe to the great Piazzolla, Payadora plays tango like it’s meant to be-sultry, steamy, but with grace and precision. You will be entertained.” - Howard Druckman, editor, Words+Music Magazine. October, 2015

“Thank you for bringing your admirable artistry and infectious energy to the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. The large and very diverse audience was clearly thrilled and I think it’s safe to say that Payadora gained a lot of new fans yesterday.” -director of programming, Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. January, 2015.

“The group exhibits the highest degree of professionalism, with lyrical and technical agility evident when required. Payadora fills a unique niche and is a joy to experience.” -Joseph Macerollo, Order of Canada, Canadian classical accordion icon

“Un quinteto, entonces, de músicos excepcionales, una banda a seguir, como la venimos siguiendo desde hace 4 aňos, que siempre avanza y mejora y cuyo lema parece ser " si, se puede" A fuerza de repetirme, no duden en ir a verlos si llegan algún dia a los escenarios rioplatenses. Presenciarán un espectaculo de tango al mas alto nivel.” —-Sergio Faluótico. tranvias.uy

#1 Album on the World Music Charts Europe March 2023 Payadora Tango Ensemble Tops the World Music Charts Europe in March 2023.

“A moving tribute to the power of music and the resilience of survivors” - Simon Nakonechny, CBC TV News, January 26, 2022

“Extraordinary” -Toronto Star Sarah Laing, Feb 2023

“Rebekah Wolkstein’s compositions oscillate between high drama and tenderness… of hope and unimaginable violence” -German Public Radio

“An album you must hear”- Review on Deutschlandfunk Kultur German Public Radio-featured on report on “Best New CDs”

“Incredible music making. One of the best albums of Jewish music ever.” - Bernard Clarke, Irish Public Radio RTE

“A masterpiece of tango” “Music to pass on the history of unimaginable violence to future generations” -Japan’s Musica Terra

“It takes five to Tango.”-Hamilton Spectator- re: Argentine tango show

“Es ist das erste jiddischsprachige Album, das Platz 1 der europäischen Weltmusikcharts erreicht”-DW Deutche Welle

“Moving, heartbreaking… the most memorable release I have ever had the privilege to listen to and review.”- Tina Kiilk, Wholenote Magazine March 2023

“Beautiful” Special on ORF (Austrian national radio) about Silent Tears

“A World Class Contemporary Chamber Ensemble” - Ottawa Citizen

“Astounding, both musically and conceptually” - Everything Zoomer

“An incredibly moving work of musical art.”-NPR’s Rhythm Atlas

“The music is elegant, yearning, and beautiful. The lyrics are unsparingly graphic, honest and heartbreaking.” Rabble

“Moving, harrowing… with a feeling of hope and survival”- Bangkok Post

“Beautiful, sad, powerful and empowering” -CBC Fresh Air Nicole Martin

“Extraordinary new album” -Roots Music Canada

“How the legacy of Holocaust survivors lives on through poetry in Toronto” -CTV News,Hannah Alberga, January 27, 2022

“Poignant”- NPR’s NewSounds NYC Jan 31 2023

“Wonderful album”- WCBN Ann Arbor Dromedary Express

“Un volume historique et sensible d'une partie de notre civilisation.”-Belgian Public Radio RTBF

“Stille Tränen”- German Public Radio- Report on MDR’s Folk and Welt

“Silent Tears” -YLE -Finland’s national broadcaster, part of a special program featuring tango from around the world

30 minute feature about Silent Tears on Radio Popolare (Italian Public Radio)

“A magnificent project”-- Alain Lalancette / 13 minute feature on CKIA, Radio Urbaine. La Voyage Imaginaire, Quebec City

CKIA 88.3 Radio Urbaine.

“Silent Tears: The Last Yiddish Tango, musica basata sulle testimonianze di donne sopravvissute all’Olocausto” Italian Public Radio (Radio Popolare)

30 minute special on Silent Tears album on Italian Public Radio-Radio Populaire

“Fabulous”- Demesenlla Radio- 12 minute feature about Silent Tears across Catalonia

“Sounds of Survivors” – Andy Muchin / Sounds Jewish (PRX, National Public Radio affiliate Mississippi Public Broadcasting) (10-minute feature begins at 8:10 into broadcast) January 19, 2022

“Music highlights plight of women who faced sexual violence during the Holocaust” - Yoel Matveyev – The Forward (in Yiddish) January 27, 2022

“I cried while watching it” – Music Before Shabbat (Spain), reviewing Silent Tears, February, 2022

“Songs of Unspeakable Sorow” -CBC All in a Day with Alan Neal

The Jewish Radio Hour (Winnipeg) previews Silent Tears – Raquel Zucker, CKJS - (Canada’s only Yiddish language radio program)

“Moving” – John Gilks, Opera Ramblings, February 2022

Previewing the premiere of Silent Tears – The Last Yiddish Tango – Ilana Jackson, The Canadian Jewish News – January 26, 2022

“A magnificent project” - Alain Lalancette /CKIA FM Jan 2023

“Amazing Musicians…a unique project.” -CBC Ottawa Morning with Robyn Bresnahan Jan 2023

15 minute feature on Silent Tears, The Last Yiddish Tango on CKCU-FM Ottawa’s “Saturday Morning” with Mike Regenstreif – January 29, 2022

Preview of Silent Tears on “Musical Migrations” WSFM, Asheville, NC – Gypsy Flores – January 26, 2022

Payadora’s Silent Tears Album Top 20 on Transglobal World Music Chart February and March 2023

“Silent Tears” is among 2022’s highlights to mark 2022’s Holocaust Remembrance Day – Rokhl Kafrissen, Tablet Magazine January 2022

Silent Tears featured on special Yom HaShoah episode of Sounds Jewish Radio with host Andy Muchin - April 23, 2022

“The Silent Tears project uses poetry to express unbearable Holocaust memories -words now set to music” - CBC’s Metro Morning (Toronto) – Jan 28, 2022

“How art can immortalize” – Sabrina Marandola, CBC’s Let’s Go (Montreal) – Jan 27, 2022

"Silent Tears is the first Yiddish-language album that has topped the European World Music charts.”-DW Deutsche Well