Libertango

Greetings! I hope you all enjoyed last week's post on how to listen to a new piece of classical music! This week, I want to show you something very accessible as a reward! This piece has a modern flair to it that even the most anti-classical listeners will love.

Piazzolla

Astor Piazzolla is an Argentine composer, born in 1921. He is known for revolutionizing the tango by incorporating elements of both classical and jazz styles. This form of music is called nuevo tango, or new tango. He also performed the bandoneon many of his own compositions. For those of you who aren't familiar, a bandoneon is almost like an accordian, and is essential to tangos.

Libertango

Piazzolla's Libertango was composed in 1974. Libertango literally means liberty tango. This piece represents the composer's break from the traditional classical tango. This piece has been released by over 500 different musicians, all doing something different with it. It has been performed with words, with various solo instruments, and various ensembles.

Martha Argerich

One of my favorite recordings of this piece is done by my favorite pianist of all time, Martha Argerich, who is also from Argentina. She performs in this recording with pianist, Eduardo Hubert, and percussionist, Ricardo Rossi. This arrangement is for two pianos and percussion. Pictured to the left is a photo of myself and Martha Argerich.

I have also performed this piece multiple times, but unfortunately I don't have a recording to share! However, this recording is much better anyway! Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kT3XlkxsRbU