Recommendations on the music of Astor Piazzolla

Slipknot1,

Thanks for the heads up on Lidia Kaminski. I am a big Piazzolla fan and in my opinion "Tango Zero Hour" is his best work. Unfortunately, I've only been able to find it on CD and the quality of the recording is less than excellent. I would definitely use this disc as a starting point for exploring Piazzolla's music.

If you're willing to try something a little different, Sergio and Odair Assad are guitar playing brothers who were mentored by Piazzolla. They have a great disc of their interpretations appropriately titled "Sergio & Odair Assad play Piazzolla".

Hope this helps.

Enjoy!

Thanks Jazdoc!

I'll try to get my hands on the Assads as well as "Tango Zero Hour"

Ms. Kaminski just floored me last night. You could tell she was channeling Piazzolla while she played.

The LP titled "Sergio & Odair Assad" has 13 minute "Tango Suite" of Piazzolla.It's on the Nonesuch Digital Label unfortunately.

Slipknot1,

You're welcome! Let me know if you like these and/or if you find either of these on vinyl.

Regards

I second the 'zero hour' recommendation. I have it on vinyl and the LP sounds very good. I see it around occasionally...

Slipknot,

Fone released at least a couple LPs of Piazzolla's music with Accardo:

PIAZZOLLA/ADIOS NONINO 45rpm 200g 2LP

ASTOR PIAZZOLLA - OBLIVION, LP-002 (out of print)

The Kronos Quartet perform "Four for Tango" on Nonesuch 79181.
.

I'd go for Hora Cero (Zero Hour) too, and La Camorra. There is A LOT of his work from the 60s and 70s, so a lot on vinyl. Not sure what you are able to get where you are at, though. GREAT musician. If you are looking to start exploring his work you might want to try 40 Obras Fundamentales (40 Fundamental Pieces), a recopilation that provides a good overview.

BTW, a bandoneon is no accordion!! I know you did say "accordion-like", but oh well, I am from Buenos Aires and even though I'm no tango die-hard I can't let it slip by!
:-)

Thank you all for the suggestions!
Lewinskih01-

I know what you mean about the bandoneon. I was so blown away by what I heard that instrument in the hands of a virtuoso do last night, I rushed to put it in some context I could wrap my mind around. About the only thing they have in common is a bellows, like a Ferrari and a Chevy both have tires. A different animal altogether.

Ms. Kaminski was joined by an expert of the music of Astor Piazzolla in a pre-concert talk. His name escapes me, but he spoke with an Australian accent. He discussed the evolution of Piazzolla's music and the history of the music of the tango and the culture it developed out of. Very interesting.

Alot of great reccomendations, all of which I enjoy on a regular basis! However, no one has mentioned Gidon Kremer's very excellent 6 CD's:
Hommage a Piazolla
Astor Piazolla:El Tango [w/the irrepresible 'Che Tango Che']
Tracing Astor
Tango Blallet [my fave!]
eight Season's [4 by Viavaldi interspersed w/ 4 by Astor]
and lastly,
Maria de Buenos Aires

oh lest i forget, he also has a live concert in Central Park, 'Concerto Para Bandeon', and a 'jazz' set [I can't recall with who] 'The New Tango'.
His music has experienced a renassaince among a variety of
musicans from Yo Yo Ma to Al Di Meola.

Jlamb, I second your recommendation. Kremer is really good.

Although Slipknot1, I know you originally mentioned you want this music on vinyl, I urge you to check out Gidon Kremer's Piazzolla recordings on CD as well.