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Astor Piazzolla

Astor Pantaleón Piazzolla was born on March 11, 1921 in Mar del Plata, Argentina, only child of Vicente “Nonino” Piazzolla and Asunta Mainetti. In 1925, the family relocates to New York City until 1936 with a brief return to Mar del Plata in 1930. In 1929, when Astor is 8 years old, his father gives him his first bandoneon which he had bought at a pawn shop for 19 dollars. Astor studies the bandoneon for one year with Andrés DÁquila and he makes his first record, Marionette Spagnol; a phonograph disk (non commercial) at the Radio Recording Studio in New York on 11/30/1931.

In 1933 he studies with the Hungarian pianist Bela Wilda, disciple of Rachmaninov, and of whom Astor would later say “With him I learned to love Bach”. Shortly thereafter, he meets Carlos Gardel who becomes a good friend of the family and with whom he takes part in the movie “El Dia Que me Quieras”, playing a brief part as a newspaper boy. This feature film plays a monumental role in the history of Tango.

In 1936, he returns with the family to Mar del Plata, Argentina for good, where Astor begins to play in some tango orchestras. It is here that he makes his second grand discovery (after Bach with Bela Wilda), when he listens to Elvino Vardaro’s sextet on the radio, Elvino would later become Astor’s violinist. That alternative way of interpreting Tango deeply touches him and he becomes an admirer of Elvino. Astor’s love for Tango, and especially for that style of Tango, touches him deeply and gives him the courage to move to Buenos Aires in 1938. He was only 17 years old. He plays on some second rate tango orchestras until 1939, when he realizes his dream of playing bandoneon within one of the greatest tango orchestras of that time; the Anibal Troilo orchestra. “Pichuco” was one of the best bandoneon players, and Astor always considered him one of his masters.

In 1933 he studies with the Hungarian pianist Bela Wilda, disciple of Rachmaninov, and of whom Astor would later say “With him I learned to love Bach”. Shortly thereafter, he meets Carlos Gardel who becomes a good friend of the family and with whom he takes part in the movie “El Dia Que me Quieras”, playing a brief part as a newspaper boy. This feature film plays a monumental role in the history of Tango. In 1936, he returns with the family to Mar del Plata, Argentina for good, where Astor begins to play in some tango orchestras. It is here that he makes his second grand discovery (after Bach with Bela Wilda), when he listens to Elvino Vardaro’s sextet on the radio, Elvino would later become Astor’s violinist. That alternative way of interpreting Tango deeply touches him and he becomes an admirer of Elvino. Astor’s love for Tango, and especially for that style of Tango, touches him deeply and gives him the courage to move to Buenos Aires in 1938. He was only 17 years old. He plays on some second rate tango orchestras until 1939, when he realizes his dream of playing bandoneon within one of the greatest tango orchestras of that time; the Anibal Troilo orchestra. “Pichuco” was one of the best bandoneon players, and Astor always considered him one of his masters.

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Live Review

Europa / America del Sud

Read "Europa / America del Sud" reviewed by Libero Farnè


I Concerti di Musica Insieme 2022—2023 Violoncelli dell'Accademia di Santa Cecilia Giuliana Gianfaldoni soprano Kian Soltani violoncello Teatro Manzoni Bologna 16.1.23 Nei programmi di sala delle varie stagioni concertistiche non è insolito trovarsi di fronte a un confronto, più o meno conciliante o stridente, fra Europa e America. Fra l'altro è questo il tema di buona parte della trentottesima edizione del Festival Printemps des Arts che si terrà a Monte—Carlo il prossimo ...

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Extended Analysis

Astor Piazzolla and Manos Hadjidakis: L'Ultime Concert

Read "Astor Piazzolla and Manos Hadjidakis: L'Ultime Concert" reviewed by Chris May


Astor Piazzolla and Manos HadjidakisL'Ultime ConcertWarner Jazz2012Astor Piazzolla's international breakthrough albums, Tango: Zero Hour and The Rough Dancer And The Cyclical Night (Nonesuch, 1986 and 1991), were made with small groups, with which the bandoneonist and composer is still most commonly associated outside Argentina. But Piazzolla also wrote for and performed with larger ensembles, frequently so during the 1980s, towards the end of his life. L'Ultime Concert was recorded in Athens, Greece ...

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Album Review

Astor Piazzolla: Pulsacion

Read "Pulsacion" reviewed by Jerry D'Souza


A little bit of background, dear reader. The first four tracks on this album were written by Astor Piazzolla for a movie titled Pulsacion. The last five were utilized to augment the release of this CD and come from the “tango operita” Maria de Buenos Aires. Now it’s time to turn to the music.

Piazzolla extended the ambit of the tango without watering down its integrity or diminishing its strengths. In doing so the bandoneon player embodied it ...

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Festival

Roman Miroshnichenko And Mario Parmisano Celebrated Astor Piazzolla’s 100th Anniversary And Honored Chick Corea With Grandiose Shows In Russia

Roman Miroshnichenko And Mario Parmisano Celebrated Astor Piazzolla’s 100th Anniversary And Honored Chick Corea With Grandiose Shows In Russia

Source: All About Jazz

The 24th international World Of Guitar music festival took place on May 24-28, 2021 in Kaluga, Russia. This year, during the main portion of the festival, on May 26th took place joint concert of guitar virtuoso Roman Miroshnichenko and his band with outstanding tango nuevo interpreter—Argentinian pianist Mario Parmisano, featuring the 50-piece Moscow City Symphony. “It was a great pleasure to perform again with Roman Miroshnichenko—a great guitarist who has performed with Steve Vai, Larry Coryell and many other world ...

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Recording

Adios Nonino and Astor Piazzolla: Shipwrecks, motorcycles and a used Bandoneon in Manhattan

Adios Nonino and Astor Piazzolla: Shipwrecks, motorcycles and a used Bandoneon in Manhattan

Source: All About Jazz

By Marcello Pedrolo

In order to understand Astor Piazzolla completely, we must be able to get in touch with ourselves first. Let Piazzolla’s music talk to your soul and explore at the same time the intriguing brakes, the different paces of emotions and intensity of the lead against the rest of the instruments; lows and highs, fasts and slows making you react, and dream, and react again. You’ll be in Buenos Aires walking along bohemian cobbled streets where couples dance ...

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Video / DVD

DVD Release: Astor Piazzolla Live at the Montreal Jazz Festival

DVD Release: Astor Piazzolla Live at the Montreal Jazz Festival

Source: All About Jazz

DVD TO BE RELEASED ON MARCH 25, 2008 MILAN ENTERTAINMENT BRINGS YOU ASTOR PIAZZOLLA - LIVE AT THE MONTREAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

For the first time, a live performance by the tango genius and his legendary Quinteto is available in its entirety on CD and DVD.

From the time he received his first bandoneon until his death in 1992, Astor Piazzolla's sixty-plus years of musical legacy have driven many critics to extol his achievements not only as being at the pinnacle ...

Oscar Penas
guitar
Miho Wada
flute
Javier García
guitar, electric
roman gomez
bandoneon
Apostolo Kalt Orchestra
bass, electric
Escalandrum
band / ensemble / orchestra
Jonatan Piña Duluc
saxophone, tenor
Matias Carazzo
clarinet, bass
Queen Kong
band / ensemble / orchestra
Alex Sino
drums

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Astor Piazzolla and...

Warner Music Group
2012

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Tango Contemporaneo

American Clavé
2005

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Astor Piazzolla...

American Clavé
2003

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Pulsacion

Circular Moves
2003

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Complete Music For...

American Clavé
2000

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La Resurreccion Del...

American Clavé
2000

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