Astor Piaszzolla is Composer of the Month

Astor Piazzolla (1921 – 1992) was an Argentinian composer and bandoneón player. Much of his music was written for tango (the national dance of Argentina). His works revolutionized the traditional tango into a new style termed nuevo tango, incorporating elements from jazz and classical music. An excellent bandoneonist, he regularly performed his own compositions with different ensembles. He is known in his native land as “El Gran Astor” (“The Great Astor”).

Here's a video of Astor Piazzolla from a live performance of "Adios Nonino"



In this video, Piazzolla plays the bandoneon. The music is "Milonga del Angel" (a Milonga is an Argentine form of music which "modulates from minor to major at certain times and its melody is reminiscent of the Argentinean tango" (link)



This video shows Yo-Yo Ma (Cello) and Nestor Marconi (Bandoneón) playing a tango,"Libertango"



This ist he Tango dance scene from the movie "Scent Of A Woman" (1992) in which Al Pacino plays a blind retired Lieutenant Colonel (for which he won an Oscar).
The music is "Por una cabeza" by Carlos Gardel and the girl dancing is Gabrielle Anwar.




photo of Piazzola from Wikimedia Commons