March 31, 2005
THE SOUL OF TANGO
New Releases
THE SOUL OF TANGO - Music of Bacalov and Piazzolla - Gisèle Ben-Dor - Santa Barbara Symphony (DE 3345)
A fresh look at the music emanating from Latin America comes to us on this new Delos recording made during the 2004 Tango and Malambo Festival in Santa Barbara. Maestro Gisèle Ben-Dor, her Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra, and various soloists present two compositions by Astor Piazzolla and two by Luis Bacalov, both Argentine composers of international distinction. The principal piece by each composer on this disc is also a world premiere recording.
Piazzolla is known worldwide as the composer who turned the tango into a classical form. His early composition, Tres Movimientos Sinfónicos, Buenos Aires, is a full-fledged three movement tone picture of his native city, its trials, traumas and tango, richly and raucously orchestral with stunning bandoneón solos played by virtuoso bandoneónist Juanjo Mosalini.
One of Piazzolla's most popular tangos, Oblivion, is also featured as the last track on the album.
Luis Bacalov, younger than Piazzolla, has achieved fame as a film composer and won an Academy Award for his Il Postino score not long ago. The movie's main theme receives a lush interpretation on our recording. Bacalov's principal offering, never before recorded, is his recent and important four movement Triple Concerto for Bandoneón, Piano & Soprano, a masterful compilation of musical impressions of Argentine life. Juanjo Mosalini handles the bandoneón solos, Bacalov plays the piano part and Virginia Tola, outstanding young Argentine soprano, sings the alternately sad and bitter vocal solos to verses furnished by the composer himself.
Gisèle Ben-Dor and the Santa Barbara forces could hardly be bettered in vibrant performances of all this music, full of fire, energy and fierce committment.