Astor Piazzolla (1921–1992) was an Argentine composer and bandoneon virtuoso who revolutionized the traditional tango by infusing it with elements of jazz, classical music and modern harmonies. His work transformed tango from a dance genre rooted in Buenos Aires’ popular culture into a sophisticated art form suitable for the concert hall. Central to this transformation were his bandoneon concertos, which showcased the expressive possibilities of the instrument and blurred the boundaries between popular and classical traditions.
The bandoneon, a type of button accordion originally developed in Germany, became the soulful voice of Argentine tango. Piazzolla mastered its complex mechanics and extended its expressive range far beyond its traditional role.
Aconcagua: Concerto for Bandoneon and Orchestra (1980), represents the peak of Piazzolla’s orchestral writing. Named after the highest mountain in the Andes, it symbolizes artistic ascent and ambition. This concerto highlights the instrument’s dual nature - melancholic yet rhythmic, intimate yet dramatic. In this concerto, Piazzolla combines lush textures, driving rhythms, and virtuosic passages to create a dialogue between the bandoneon and orchestra that is both lyrical and dynamic.
Also included on this disc are the Tres Tangos for orchestra and the immensely popular Oblivion, known from Marc Bellocchio's film ‘Enrico IV’.
Played by Klaudiusz Baran, one of the leading bandoneon players of his country, and the Czestochowa Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Adam Klocek.
