Soul of the Tango: The Music of Astor Piazzolla

Yo-Yo Ma might seem like an unlikely protagonist for the tango, but this intrepid musical explorer has taken his task seriously, collaborating with experienced tango musicians. Ma even participates in a posthumous collaboration with one 1987 Piazzolla recording. Furthermore, while he's obviously the headliner here, he doesn't dominate the arrangements nearly as much as he does the billing and photography of the disc. While the result isn't your essential Piazzolla album (that would have to include more of the composer's own playing), it's an atmospheric and convincing collection, perhaps a good introduction for those who don't know the music. --Leslie Gerber Amazon.com essential recording

Tango

I was looking for a bit more cello in this cd. That aside, this was a great choice. May 26, 2008

A Must...

If you love Astor Piazzolla's music, this is one of the best disc ever... Yo-Yo MA's Cello get a new level with this masterpieces, Mumuki is my personal favorite... Also recommended Astor Piazzolla In Portrait (DVD). February 6, 2008

Another kind of tango

I bought this cd because I heard the piece called Libertango by Piazzolla and really liked it, Piazzolla is considered a new kind of tango and some tango lovers or tango experts say his music isn't exactly tango, I'm just a music lover and I think the music is pretty great and performed by YO YO MA sounds even better. I highly reccomend it. January 28, 2008

Dessert Island! (intentional)

This is one of my top ten recordings all time, any instruments, any genre. Up there with the best of the best like "Kind of Blue." The Assad brothers are rhythmically intense and just plain amazing. Yo-Yo is clearly inspired and they are all "in the zone." The tango suite is my favorite part of this recording. Regresso al Amor rips my heart out every time I listen to it, and I actually physically have tears many times. I would also recommend Astor's "Tango Zero Hour." November 14, 2007

So beautiful it borders on painful sometimes

I just discovered Piazzolla. I first bought the Kronos album Five Tango Sensations. Almost wore it out. Then bought a bunch - a couple of Piazzolla himself - Central Park, Greatest Hits -- then a Gerry Mulligan. I love them all because Piazzolla just grabs you like an addiction and won't let go. But Yo Yo Ma Soul of Tango is the one that lives fairly permanently in my car CD player and also has a perpetual checkmark in my Itunes library. The Cafe 1830, Grand Tango, Mumuki, and the incomparable Milonga del Angel, where Yo Yo refuses to hit that high note -- slides almost as if he is being tortured into it -- finally hits it perfectly of course. This CD is better than chocolate, and almost as good as making love. I'm so glad I discovered Piazzolla before I died. September 7, 2007

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