Adios Nonino

From Jazziz
During a 50-year career, Argentine Astor Piazzolla revolutionized the bandonen, a smaller version of the accordion, and changed the face of the tango. By the time of his death in 1992, Piazzolla had recorded nearly 50 albums and was an international figure. Since then, Milan Records has issued a number of Piazzolla recordings. This latest release, Adios Nonino, was recorded in 1983. It finds Piazzolla joined by pianist Pablo Ziegler, violinist Fernando Suarez Paz, guitarist Oscar Lopez Ruiz, and bassist Hector Console.

--- JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Adios Nonino,Astor Piazzolla,Milan Records,Argentina,Argentina / Tango,Int'l & World Music,Latin,Latin Continuum,Latin Jazz,Tango,World Music

Average customer rating: Beautiful Cello Music thought it would be better

The Most Relaxing Cello Album in the World Ever Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Elgar | Elgar, Sir Edward | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Piazzolla, Astor | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sibelius | Sibelius, Jean | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Villa-Lobos, Heitor | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Villa-Lobos, Heitor | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Cello for Relaxation The Most Relaxing Violin Album in the World ... Ever! The Most Relaxing Chamber Music Album in the World ... Ever! The Most Relaxing Harp Album in the World... Ever! The Most Relaxing Piano Album in the World...Ever! ASIN: B0000D9WWR Release Date: 2004-08-10

Tracks:

1. The Swan - Philharmonia Orchestra
2. Apres Un Reve, Op.7 No.1 - Han-Na-Chang
3. Vocalise, Op.34 No.14 - Han-Na Chang
4. I. Prelude - Mstislav Rostropovich
5. I. Aria - Juliane Banse
6. III. Largo - Jacqueline Du Pre & Daniel Barenboim
7. Sicilienne, Op.78.80 - Han-Na Chang
8. III. Adagio - Jacqueline Du Pre
9. V. Bourre I-II-I - Mstislav Rostropovich
10. I. Alegro Non Troppo - Daniel Barenboim
11. Wiegenlied, Op.49 No.4 - Juhani Lagerspetz
12. Adios Nonino - Berlin Philharmonica

Tracks:

1. Elegie in C Minor, Op.24 - Gerald Moore
2. Four Pieces, Op.78-'Romance' - Jean-Yves Thibaudet
3. Nocturne. Op.19 No.4 - Han-Na Chang
4. I . Prelude - Jacqueline Du Pre
5. Intermezzo In A Minor - Jean-Yves Thibaudet
6. Four Pieces, Op.78-'Religioso' - Truls Mork
7. Minnelied, Op.71 No.5 - Juhani Lagerspetz
8. Klid, B 182/Op.68 No.5 (Silent Woods) - Han-Na Chang
9. Feldeinsamkeit, Op.86 No.2 - Juhani Lagerspetz
10. III. Adagio, Ma Non Troppo - Mstislav Rostropovich
11. Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen - Berlin Philharmonic
12. Moonlight Serenade - Berlin Philharmonic

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful Cello Music.......2006-11-28

Different than what other people say, this is an extremely beautiful Cello CD; check it out for yourself.

thought it would be better.......2006-11-09

i have been ordering from you but this one wasn't good at all

Average customer rating: GREAT MUSIC!!! TERRIBLE RECORDING and PERFORMANCES!!! My search for Oblivion has a happy ending. Dutch Royal Wedding

Piazzolla: Tangazo Astor Piazzolla , Charles Dutoit , Orchestre symphonique de Montréal , Daniel Binelli , Eduardo Isaac , and Louise Pellerin Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Piazzolla, Astor | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Dutoit, Laurence | ( D ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Argentina | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Tango | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Los Tangueros Tangos Among Friends Astor Piazzolla - The Soul Of Tango: Greatest Hits Tango: Zero Hour ASIN: B00005Q672 Release Date: 2001-11-13

Tracks:

1. Adios Nonino
2. Milonga del angel
3. Double Concerto for bandoneon and guitar: Introduccion
4. Double Concerto for bandoneon and guitar: Milonga
5. Double Concerto for bandoneon and guitar: Tango
6. Oblivion
7. Tres movimientos tanguisticos portenos: Allegretto
8. Tres movimientos tanguisticos portenos: Moderato
9. Tres movimientos tanguisticos portenos: Vivace
10. Danza criolla
11. Tangazo

Customer Reviews:

GREAT MUSIC!!! TERRIBLE RECORDING and PERFORMANCES!!!.......2004-09-02

This recording has been one of the greatest disappointments in my cd collector memory. Dutoit has NO idea about the proper style with which to play this music (music I have conducted in performance with professional orchestras) and the recording is an acoustical disaster.

Why did the engineers for this recording place microphones so close to the bandoneon (an accordion with buttons instead of keys, central to the performance of tango and Piazzolla's solo instrument) that one can hear every mechanical noise it makes -- even the valves opening and closing over the reeds??? Worse still, the orchestra sounds like the microphones were hung in one very soupy room and the musicians were recorded distantly. In essence the orchestra and the bandoneon do not sound in the proper sonic perspective -- much less in the same room!

The glissandos in the strings in the TANGAZO are wrong! They are way too slow and sloppy. Dutoit could have listened to any number of tango recordings and found the proper style. What a shame!

I can hardly wait for these engineers to do a recording of John Field's Nocturnes played on a celesta with REALLY close microphones so we can hear the inner clunky life of that instrument, as well!

My search for Oblivion has a happy ending........2002-06-02

Recently, I attended a concert by a chamber orchestra on tour. The printed program for the concert was largely "standard fare." There were then two encores, one of which I knew had to have been the work of Astor Piazzolla, but a Piazzolla work I hadn't recalled ever hearing. (I can't claim to have a particularly large library of Piazzolla works, but the library had already included the more popular successes by the Kronos Quartet, Gidon Kremer, Daniel Barenboim and Yo-Yo Ma.) Summoning up my courage after the concert, I went backstage to ask one of the musicians what the Piazzolla encore was. The answer was "Oblivion" (and I was, fortunately, not embarrassed by having to ask who the composer was; the absence of the near-obligatory bandoneon in this chamber orchestra did not "throw me off-track").

Well, I just had to have a recording of "Oblivion" after hearing that encore. And an Amazon search led me to this superb recording by Charles Dutoit and the Montréal Symphony Orchestra, with "Oblivion" smack-dab in the middle of things (track 6 of 11); a centerpiece of sorts.

If there is a sadder, more wistful and languorous work than this brief piece, I have yet to hear it. (Some of the piano works of Eric Satie may come close, but they still miss by the proverbial mile.) "Oblivion" has a way of insinuating itself under your skin, and one wants to hear it again and again; I listened to it three times in succession before I played the entire CD. Scored (by Piazzolla) for strings, oboe solo and bandoneon obbligato, it is simply magical. And quite addictive.

While the attention paid to Piazzolla always seems to be in the context of his tangos, he was nonetheless a trained serious composer, studying with Alberto Ginastera and Nadia Boulanger. The Ginastera connection comes through in a few of the selections here, most obviously in the "Danza criolla" and somewhat less obviously in others (such as the third movement of "Tres movimientos tanguisticos porteños").

The most famous work here - "Adiós Nonino" - was written by Piazzolla in memory of his father. About the work, Piazzolla wrote, "Perhaps I was surrounded by angels. I was able to write the the finest tune I have written. I don't know if I will ever do better. I doubt it." It is a fine and beautiful work indeed, and his abilities as an orchestrator of no mean skill show through clearly.

The remainder of the works are equally fine, and at nearly 76 minutes, this CD can be considered a bargain. Perhaps (to me, at least) the best part of these selections is that all were orchestrated by Piazzolla and that Dutoit respects this integrity by not only playing them as Piazzolla had arranged them, but with a truly idiomatic feel for the style as well.

Back to that performance of "Oblivion" that it was my pleasure to hear. It was an arrangement for string orchestra, and as a result it was with neither oboe nor bandoneon. In that respect, it was "special," and I passed this thought on to the chamber orchestra "powers that be." Perhaps one day it will show up at these Amazon product pages. In the meantime...

If your knowledge of the tango is limited to the ballroom dancing variety, or to the "required element" in ice dancing, this delicious Piazzolla album may not be for you. But it is surely a required element for anyone who enjoys Piazzolla's music.

Bob Zeidler

Dutch Royal Wedding.......2002-02-04

On 02.02.2002 Dutch Royal Prince Willem-Alexander married his Argentinian Maxima. During the church ceremony they played Piazola's Adios Nonino which caused many sentimental tears.
Moreover a special choice while Maxima's father was not allowed to attend this royal wedding due to his participation on the Junta Regime.
( bye, bye pappa is the translation of Adios Nonino....)
Music which goes straight to heart.

Average customer rating: The Sound But Not The Soul Sweet & Warm... Excellent Tango Compilation This is stunning--dance-able, listen-able tango music.

The Symphonic Tango Manufacturer: Wea International ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Piazzolla, Astor | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Symphonic Boleros The Best Tango Album in the World, Ever! Symphonic Bossa Nova Los Tangueros Tantalizing Tangos of Argentina ASIN: B000000SHO Release Date: 2007-03-02

Tracks:

1. Symphonic Tango: Adios Nonino
2. Symphonic Tango: Caminito
3. Symphonic Tango: Fuimos
4. Symphonic Tango: Astoreando
5. Symphonic Tango: El Choclo
6. Symphonic Tango: El Dia Que Me Quieras
7. Symphonic Tango: La Cumparsita
8. Symphonic Tango: Milonga En El Viento
9. Symphonic Tango: Cafetin De Buenos Aires
10. Symphonic Tango: Oblivion
11. Symphonic Tango: Uno
12. Symphonic Tango: Inspiracion

Customer Reviews:

The Sound But Not The Soul.......2001-06-04

I am a hard-core tango fan but have to say I find very little to like about this CD. I bought it on the strength of the line-up of musicians in El Quinteto Buenos Aires who are joined by the Royal Philatelic Orchestra conducted but the illustrious Ettore Stratta. With accomplished tango artists like Antonio Agri, Leopoldo Federico, Pablo Ziegler, Osvaldo Berlingieri and Hector Console at the nucleus, how could I go wrong? After all, Ziegler's Tango Romance with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra was a winner! Sadly, this isn't. The tango presented here is of the type one would expect to hear in an elevator. There is almost no passion and play is lackluster on nearly all cuts. The one exception is a fine rendition of the Ziegler composition Milonga En El Viento. They destroyed Cafetin de Buenos Aires! While this CD would be fine as background music in a corporate office, I can't see myself listening very often. Symphonic Tango may have the sound of tango, but it lacks the soul of tango.

Sweet & Warm..........1999-03-13

I love all the "Symphonic" series by Mr. Stratta who is ingenious in arranging music. I heard his music by some chance at a CD shop for the first time. The melody was so sweet and I asked a shopboy what the song was. The CD was "Symphonic Bolero" with nice cover art. Since then I've been a big fan of him. This CD is also one of my favorite. This always lets me be in a warm and happy mood. I'd like to recommend you to try his other albums. Good buy!

Excellent Tango Compilation.......1999-01-08

Will attract both hard-core tango fans and newcomers. It includes both classic pieces as well as a couple of Piazolla's best.

This is stunning--dance-able, listen-able tango music........1998-09-29

There is a nice mix of old and new "standards." The accompanying booklet has a brief, but authoritative history of the tango and the composers and performers on the cd. It really makes you want to dance but listening is OK too. Energizing and inspirational in its lushness.

Average customer rating: Amazing Typical Piazzolla...Extraordinary A Christlike Performance superb playing of great music

Los Tangueros Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Piazzolla, Astor | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Argentina | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Tango | Latin Music | Styles | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Tangos Among Friends The Symphonic Tango Brazilian Rhapsody Bajo Cero Piazzolla: Song of the Angel ASIN: B0000029TY Release Date: 1997-01-14

Tracks:

1. Revirado
2. Fuga y misterio
3. Milonga del angel
4. Decarissimo
5. Soledad
6. La muerte del angel
7. Adios Nonino
8. Libertango
9. Verano porte
10. Michelangelo '70
11. Buenos Aires hora cero
12. Tangata

Amazon.com essential recording

Like his frequent partner, Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Emanuel Ax has become infatuated with the tangos of Astor Piazzolla. Ax sought out pianist Pablo Ziegler, a long-time member of Piazzolla's ensemble, to make these arrangements and perform them with him. With his innate musicianship and Ziegler as a tutor, Ax has entered wholeheartedly into the world of the New Tango. These performances have just the right feeling for rhythm and color. Whether you need an album of Piazzolla on two pianos is another question. I'd say get some of Piazzolla's own recordings first. But for piano tango this album is a total success. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Amazing.......2005-07-16

There is a certain intensity in Piazzola's music that is hard to describe. It can be very powerful and nostalgic at the same time, very energetic and extremely mellow. Rumor has it that when Piazzola was studing music, his teacher pesuaded him to go back to his natural instrument, the bandoneon, as Piazzola had proven to play it with a special sensitivity.
While played in the bandoneon , Piazzola's music reaches all its Argentinean identity and character, but in the piano- in this case two of them- his music transforms and gets a richness that is really imppresive. I can't imagine two better piano players to deliver the passion of Piazzola's music. Emmanuel Ax and Pablo Ziegler are amazing together. Los Tangueros is a classic for all the Piazzola fans.

Typical Piazzolla...Extraordinary.......2003-03-05

The quintessential Piazzolla is presented here in a rapturous performance by several artists in their own right. I was attracted to this recording because I play the piano and the idea of Emanual Ax and Pablo Ziegler (another one of those classical-Tango joint venture a la Yo Yo Ma) performing Tango was too much to pass up.

The transcriptions are very, very good. In fact, though one can readily distinguish the sound from the classic Tango ensemble, the music is seamless. It works! Of particular interest is "La muerte del angel". One wishes that the "angel" trilogy could be presented in one package instead of spread out over several recordings. And speaking of transcripts, a German firm now distributes piano versions of Piazzolla tangos in three volumes.

While I'm wishing, it would be great if someone recorded the entire body of Piazzolla compositions in one collection.

A Christlike Performance.......2000-08-02

I was unfamiliar with Emanuel Ax, very familiar with Pablo Ziegler, and ultra familiar with the work of Astor Piazzolla, so I decided to give this CD a try. The only disappointment is that there are only 12 songs on this recording. It must have been difficult for Piazzolla acolyte Ziegler to decide which of the hundreds of worthy Piazzolla compositions to record. In the end, he did a great job not only in selecting a variety of Piazzolla styles, but also in selecting those which fit his conception of this project. Its hard to choose a favorite here though if pressed, I'd name the stately Soledad followed closely by the equally majestic Tangata. Ziegler's arrangements are impeccable. He proves that a lot of music can spring from two pianos with no other instrumentation needed when the arrangements are right. I heartily recommend this album not only to Piazzolla fans, but to fans of the piano. I hope that Ax and Ziegler soon offer an encore to this Christlike performance.

superb playing of great music.......1999-08-07

Piazzola does for tango what Gershwin did for the blues. And there is no better medium to hear what Piazzola is up to than these splendid arrangements for two pianos. Emanuel Ax, of course, is one of America's best living pianists. With Ziegler, he forms an unforgettable team. Highly worthwhile.

Average customer rating: One of the BEST guitar cds ever! OLE

Tango Argentino Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Piazzolla, Astor | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Latin American Guitar Music Guitar Music of Argentina Guitar Music from Cuba Manhã de Carnaval Guitar Music of Argentina ASIN: B0000ZKRTE Release Date: 2004-02-17

Tracks:

1. Kite-Flying Dream
2. Milonga Of Confusion
3. The Last Woman
4. Libertango
5. The Day You Love Me
6. Coming Back
7. Military Tap
8. Melancholic
9. Nostalgic
10. South
11. For The Tilingos
12. Farewell Nonino
13. Midnight In Buenos Aries
14. Jacinto Chiclana
15. Triumphal
16. La Recoleta
17. Milonga Of My Loves
18. 71 Milonga

Amazon.com

If you want to find out if you'll enjoy this collection of guitar transcriptions, listen to track 7, the "Military Tap" by Mariano Mores. If you can resist the ingenuity of the arrangement and the verve of the performance, this disc is not for you. For further evidence, try track 13, Astor Piazzolla's "Midnight in Buenos Aires," an amazing example of Villadangos's imagination as an arranger. This guitarist, who comes from Buenos Aires himself, has obviously absorbed the tango tradition and idiom completely. You might think guitar solo arrangements would be disappointing, lacking the inherent color of the typical tango band. Not so in this exhilarating collection, which also juxtaposes internationally known tango composers like Piazzolla and Carlos Gardel with others much less well known. Villadangos also supplies his own helpful program notes for this completely satisfying, memorable recital. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

One of the BEST guitar cds ever!.......2006-12-27

This is by far one of the best guitar CDs and the best performance I have ever heard. So far I have 3 cds from Villadangos and they are all brilliant. Strongly recommended!

OLE.......2004-06-07

This is a wonderful album of acoustic guitar music. I've always loved the Tango and the so-called "classical" guitar. This album brings them together delightfully. The album transports me to a smoke-filled Argentinean nightclub where the Tango is danced very passionately. I agree with the review to this album; tract 13 is wonderful.
If you are into the Tango or guitar music or just want to be transported, in your mind, to a different time and place, buy this disc.

Average customer rating: It can be a Cure for broken heart delightful, awesome, superb Striking Sax & Orchestra Works and Performances

Ballades for Saxophone and Orchestra Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Martin | Martin, Frank | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Piazzolla, Astor | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tomasi | Tomasi, Henri | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Saxophone | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Music for Saxophone & Orchestra le saxophone Francais Marcel Mule: "Le patron" of the Saxophone Saxophone Colors Romances for Saxophone ASIN: B0002BXO5A Release Date: 2004-08-17

Tracks:

1. Ballade For Alto Saxophone And Orchestra: Andantino - Gigue - Blues
2. Ballad For Saxophone And Orchestra
3. Piece En Forme De Habanera For Saxophone And Chamber Orchestra
4. Preludio
5. Fuga
6. Misterio
7. Fugata
8. Oblivion
9. Adius Nonino
10. Libertango
11. Ballade For Saxophone And Strings
12. Czardas For Saxophone And Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

It can be a Cure for broken heart.......2007-06-27

I think it's one of the best interpretation of Piazzolla.
Piazzolla did not plan to make This suite, but I feel
they originally made a perfect suite.
And all songs are True song of soul, I think.

delightful, awesome, superb.......2006-02-07

This album has something for everyone; Serenity, excitement, passion all conveyed by the wonderful talents of Theodore Kerkezos and his sweet sounding saxophone. His opening track by Tomasi has the most beautiful harmonies and his vibrato really accentuates this. I am however a huge fan of the Piazzolla Tango Suite and this is a must for any saxophonist out there to listen to how a saxophone should be played. The Prelude has a distinct "Kill Bill" sound but it's oh so exciting. You've got elements of Bach's fugues but jazzed up especially in the Fugata. Then there's Oblivion, absolute pure sounding heart rendering music that you could just listen to all day. The album ends in the best fashion with Iturralde's "Czardas" which any saxophonist knows is a fantastic piece to perform and what a great finale to an outstanding collection of music.
This album is a must for any saxophonist and anyone that wants to hear some great works of the 20th century. I can't rate it enough and if there is anyone in two minds - BUY IT!

Striking Sax & Orchestra Works and Performances.......2004-09-21

I'm not a saxophonist and don't know the first thing about the technical aspects of playing this instrument. But to my ears Theodore Kerkezos sounds like a real expert as well as being a fine musician. He certainly has an opportunity here with these varied sax and orchestra pieces by composers ranging from Ravel to Piazzolla. As of the date of this review, Amazon has not supplied the contents of the CD, so I shall do so:

Tomasi: Ballade for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra
Frank Martin: Ballade for Saxophone and Orchestra
Ravel: Pièce en forme de habañera for Sax and Orchestra
Piazzolla: Tango Suite (arr. Kerkezos)
Dimitris Dragatakis: Ballade for Saxophone and Strings
Pedro Iturralde: Czárdás for Saxophone and Orchestra

The major works here are, of course, the Tomasi, Martin and Piazzolla pieces. The others, relatively speaking, are over in a flash. The Ballade by Dragatakis (1914-2001), originally for violin and piano, was recast by the composer for Kerkezos. It is a slow, lyrical outpouring, romantic in effect. The Czárdás by Iturralde (b. 1929) is a catchy combination of jazzy harmonies and the classic czárdás form, with its 'lassu' and 'friss' sections. The lassu has a haunting melody. Both these pieces are world première recordings. The Ravel Habañera (arranged by Arthur Hoérée) is by far the best-known piece here and it seduces in its melodic and sultry three minutes.

The 15-minute Ballade by Henri Tomasi (1901-1971) is a three-movement delight. The Andantino has a lovely lyrical impulse and is followed by a jolly Gigue. The third movement, surprisingly, is a soulful Blues. The piece has a subtext, a poem by the composer's wife about a melancholy clown. Tomasi's style is a kind of French impressionism that also sounds a bit like Milhaud in his lighter vein.

Frank Martin (1890-1974), a Swiss composer whose 15-minute-long Ballade was written in 1938 for the doyen of European classical saxophonists, Sigurd Rascher, wrote in a Rousselian impressionist style, always a bit astringent, always utterly clear in form, and this piece does not vary from that assessment. This is the most dramatic of the pieces presented here, sometimes rising to an anguished outpouring by the soloist. Very effective.

The big surprise for me here is the 22-minute 'Tango Suite' by Astor Piazzolla (arranged by Kerkezos) cast in seven continuous movements. I have been a bit of a holdout regarding the music of Astor Piazzolla; for some reason, the music of his that I'd heard didn't especially grab me. But this suite is really quite nice. It starts with a throbbing Preludio that leads directly into an expert (and perky) Fugue that has the saxophone playing lickety-split. Kerkezos shines here, as does the London Philharmonic under Robert Minczuk (a rising young Brazilian conductor currently associate conductor of the New York Philharmonic). 'Misterio' is a haunting and melancholy song followed by yet another contrapuntal (and up-tempo) tango, 'Fugata,' which has the saxophone playing a delirious chromatic subject taken up by the strings in imitation, all in tango rhythm. 'Oblivión,' taken from Piazzolla's sound-track for the movie, 'Henry IV,' is the most seductive tango here, with the sax in the spotlight, cushioned by silky strings. 'Adios Nonino,' written in memory of the composer's father, is, at seven minutes, the longest section. It is a miniature tone poem that limns the heavy tread of the approach of death followed by a serene and moving lullaby. The suite closes with a jazzy adaptation of the well-known tango, 'Libertango.' I am aware that I write of this music knowing almost nothing of Piazzolla's work, and cannot vouch that I got it right, but I do know that I was very impressed by this suite.For someone who has resisted the blandishments of the tango, I had certainly melted by the conclusion of this music.

The verdict: Grab it!

TT=66:13

Scott Morrison

Average customer rating: Stellar Before coming Caracas Lovely music lovingly played

South American Getaway Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Octets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Piazzolla, Astor | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Villa-Lobos, Heitor | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Villa-Lobos, Heitor | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: As Time Goes By ASIN: B00004SRG4 Release Date: 2000-06-27

Tracks:

1. I Introducao (Embolada)
2. II Preludio (Modinha)
3. III Fuga (Conversa)
4. Fuga Y Misterio
5. 'Die 12' In Bossa-Nova (Variacoes Brasileiras)
6. La Flor De La Canela
7. I Aria (Cantilena)
8. II Danca (Martelo)
9. Mas Que Nada
10. Adios Nonino
11. Chiquilin De Bachin
12. A Fuego Lento
13. South American Getaway

Amazon.com

Who knew that the solid, staid old Berlin Philharmonic had such a groovy group of swingers in its cello section? One of them plays the maracas during the rests in his part, others slap their instruments with abandon, and some of them even shout at appropriate moments: if this makes them sound like trainspotters letting their hair down, it's not meant to. This recording of South American and South American-inspired music is full of joy from beginning to end, and played with the kind of accuracy other ensembles only dream of. The mood ranges from sultry and sweaty (Kaiser-Lindemann's Brazilian Variations) through coolly intellectual (the Fugue from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 1) to pure sunshine (Burt Bacharach's "South American Getaway"). The arrangements are models of their kind, and the cellists respond to their challenges with bravura and passion--at times creating sounds remarkably like a bandonéon, at others producing perfect harmonics in octaves or just singing out with pure joy. Irresistibly seductive. --Warwick Thompson

Customer Reviews:

Stellar.......2003-11-18

Wow - It's the cello-section of the Berlin Philharmonic, ok, so I expected a lot, but still this CD blew my ears off. What a performance! What a rare symbiosis of refined music making and unhalted moods and passion. Often, with lesser ensembles, passion is misunderstood as edgyness, even loudness... Not with these guys, and still, you hear every bit of emotion your supposed to hear. All pieces all my favorites, ALL of them, no exception. Juliane Banse is captivating, and together this gang of music makers is unstoppable. Legend has it that even the old von Karajan approved their performances (the Maestro in the Salzburg audience!). I am sure that these days also Sir Simon will concur...

Before coming Caracas.......2001-05-21

I am in Caracas with the MD of this disc. I have been a fun of this team, and at this time, this disc gives me a right guidance to South America. The style of the play fits quite well for the Latin music. One remark is that if you buy this CD in Japan, you can hear another marvellous Soplano.

Lovely music lovingly played.......2000-06-27

Some music, as Bacon wrote about books, is to be merely tasted and others digested. Many people ask me for music that can be played at parties (loud ones or sedate, indoors or out?), but seldom for music that stimulates the little gray cells. A recent EMI release falls sort of between the two poles. 7243 5 5656981 2) features the 12 Cellists of the Berlin Philharmonic and soprano Juliane Banse performing some unfamiliar (to most of us) works by Villa-Lobos, Kaiser-Lindemann, Piazolla, Granda, Ben, Salgan, and Bacharach (!).

For me, the highlight is the beautifully sung Aria and Danca from the "Bachianas Brasleiras No. 5." Ms. Bancer's other vocal contribution is "The Kid in Blue Jeans" which is very reminiscent of the "girl on the curb" songs with which Piaf used to break your heart.

All in all, this is a lovely offering and the texts of the songs are included in the usual several languages.

Average customer rating:

Piano Music of Argentina Manufacturer: Asv Living Era ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Ginastera | Ginastera, Alberto | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Piazzolla, Astor | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B0000CEONC Release Date: 2004-01-20

Tracks:

1. Rondo Sobre Temas Infantiles Argentinos, Op.19
2. Milonga Del Angel
3. No.1 - Danza Del Viejo Boyero
4. No.2 - Danza De La Moza Donosa
5. No.3 - Danza Del Gaucho Matrero
6. Invierno Porteno
7. Adios Nonino
8. I: Allegretto
9. II: Lento Muy Expresivo
10. III: Presto
11. Milonga
12. Oblivion
13. No.8 - Tribute To Juan Jose Castro
14. No.4 - Vidala
15. No.2 - Triste
16. No.6 - Tribute To Roberto Garcia Morillo
17. Verano Porteno
18. I: Allegro Marcato
19. II: Presto Misterioso
20. III: Adagio Molto Appassionato
21. IV: Ruvido Ed Ostinato
22. Gato
23. I: Adagietto Pianissimo
24. II: Allegro Rustico
25. III: Allegretto Cantabile
26. IV: Calmo E Poetico
27. V: Scherzando

Average customer rating: It's the best for my heart disappointing

The Best of Astor Piazzolla Manufacturer: Fabulous ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Piazzolla, Astor | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Argentina | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music Tango | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Latin General | Latin Music | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Latin General | Latin Music | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Tango | Latin Music | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Tango | Latin Music | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 International | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Jazz | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Soundtracks | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Tango: Zero Hour Astor Piazzolla - The Soul Of Tango: Greatest Hits Four Seasons of Buenos Aires Libertango: The Music of Astor Piazzolla The New Tango ASIN: B0006B655M Release Date: 2005-01-25

Tracks:

1. Jeanne y Paul
2. Peno
3. Oblivion
4. Enrico IV
5. Ave Maria
6. Cavalcata
7. Rememberance
8. Adios Nonino
9. Suite Punta del Este [Theme from 12 Monkeys]
10. Escualo
11. Years of Solitude

Album Description

Nice price collection of tracks from 'Cadaveri Eccelenti'. Acrobat.

Customer Reviews:

It's the best for my heart.......2007-06-27

Maybe it is not a perfect recording,
maybe you can find some poor sound quality (not about play itself),
But it's the best play for my soul.
I think it's the cure for your sadness. Not for happy people.

disappointing.......2006-06-28

Such a title should deserve better quality... Other CDs of Piazzolla are much better.

Average customer rating:

Tango!: The Spirit of Argentina Manufacturer: Asv Living Era ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Piazzolla, Astor | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Best Tango Album in the World, Ever! Astor Piazzolla - The Soul Of Tango: Greatest Hits TANGO FATAL ASIN: B0006IGP50 Release Date: 2005-01-25

Tracks:

1. Adios Nonino
2. El Choclo
3. Fugata
4. Por Una Cabeza
5. La Chica
6. Milonga Del Angel
7. Calambre
8. La Cumparsita
9. Milonga Sin Palabras
10. Caminito
11. Revirado
12. Oblivion
13. Fracanapa
14. Piece En Forme De Habanera
15. Fear - From 'Five Tango Sensations'

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