Astor Piazzolla

Astor Piazzolla (March 11, 1921 – July 4, 1992) is widely considered the most important tango composer of the latter Twentieth Century. In addition to his work as a bandoneon player, his compositions revolutionized the traditional tango with a modern style — incorporating elements from jazz and classical music in a style termed nuevo tango. He is known in his native land of Argentina as "El Gran Astor" ("The Great Astor").

Music

Piazzolla's nuevo tango was distinct from the traditional tango in its incorporation of elements of jazz, its more dissonant sound, and its use of counterpoint. Piazzolla also introduced new instruments that were not used in the traditional tango, including the flute, saxophone, electric and electronic instruments, and a full jazz/rock drum kit.

Related Topics:
Jazz - Counterpoint - Flute - Saxophone - Electronic instruments - Drum kit

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Piazzolla played with numerous ensembles beginning with the 1946 Orchestra, the 1955 "Octeto Buenos Aires", the 1960 "First Quintet", the 1971 "Noneto", the 1978 "Second Quintet" and the 1989 "Sextet". As well as providing original compositions and arrangements, he was the director and Bandoneon player in all of them. His numerous compositions include orchestral work such as the "Concierto para Bandoneón, Orquesta, Cuerdas y Percusión", "Doble-Concierto para Bandoneón y Guitarra", "Tres Tangos Sinfónicos" and "Concierto de Nácar para 9 Tanguistas y Orquesta", as well as song-form compositions that still today are well known by the general public in his country, like "Balada para un loco" (ballad for a madman). Biographers estimate that Piazzolla wrote around 3,000 pieces and recorded around 500.

Related Topics:
1946 - 1955 - 1960 - 1971 - 1978 - 1989 - Concierto para Bandoneón, Orquesta, Cuerdas y Percusión - Doble-Concierto para Bandoneón y Guitarra - Tres Tangos Sinfónicos - Concierto de Nácar para 9 Tanguistas y Orquesta

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