MUL 2380: ASTORPIAZZOLLA FINAL ESSAY

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) On the left side of your Blackboard you will find

the pamphlet titled ASTOR PIAZZOLLA AND THE

NEW TANGO. Read it thoroughly so that you have a

solid foundation that will allow to write more fluently

on the genre of the NEW TANGO (Nuevo Tango) created

the Argentinian bandoneon master and composer,

ASTOR PIAZZOLLA

2) On You-Tube you will find a video on the composer’s life and most importantly how he came up with his new musical genre, NUEVO TANGO (NEW TANGO). The film is called ASTOR PIAZZOLLA: IN PORTRAIT

3) Write your own impressions and sentiments towards the NEW TANGO of Astor Piazzolla through selected pieces from his large body of compositions.

SELECTED COMPOSITIONS FROM STUDIO AND RECORDINGS AND LIVE PERFORMANCES BY ASTOR PIAZZOLLA

1) “Marron y Azul” – performed by ASTOR PIAZZOLLA and his OCTETO BUENOS AIRES, 1956

2) “Adios Nonino” – performed live in concert in Utrecht, Netherlands by Astor Piazzolla and his NEW TANGO QUINTET, Fall 1984 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ljq4K31puA4

3) “La Muerte del Angel” – from his 4-part suite LA SERIE DEL ANGEL (1962-1965) – live performance by Astor Piazzolla at the Montreal Jazz Festival, Canada, July 1984

4) “Escualo” (Argentine slang word for a SHARK) – violin feature for Fernando Suarez Paz – live at Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland, June 1986

5) 2 pieces from his NEW TANGO opera, MARIA DE BUENOS AIRES

a) “Yo Soy Maria” (Tema de Maria)

b) “Fuga y Misterio” – instrumental composition from the opera – performed by Astor Piazzolla and his Conjunto 9 – live at the Teatro Colon, Buenos Aires, October 1983

6) TANGO ART SONG

“Balada para un loco” – 1969 live performance – performed by the Argentine singer, AMELITA BALTAR

Composition by Astor Piazzolla and Lyrics by Horacio Ferrer

(Note: the slang “PIANTAO” means “crazy, out of one’s mind”)

a) https://poesiadegotan.com/2015/01/07/balada-para-un-loco-1969/ = English translation of the original Spanish lyrics

b) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6O6nQFwz4s

7) CONCIERTO for BANDONEON, STRINGS and PERCUSSION – 2nd and 3rd Movements

– performed by Astor Piazzolla with String Orchestra and Percussion

a) 2nd movement – Moderato

b) 3rd movement – Presto

8) FOUR, FOR TANGO

– modern string quartet composition by Astor Piazzolla for the KRONOS QUARTET. Composed 1987-1988.

– performed by the KRONOS QUARTET, live performance, 1990

9) Suite Punta del Este – Music for the film “12 Monkeys”

Movement #3 – “FUGA”

· Performed by Astor Piazzolla with Chamber Orchestra, live 1980 performance in Caracas, Venezuela

10) Contrabajisimo – upright double bass feature for Hector Console, bass – composed and performed by Astor Piazzolla and his New Tango Quintet