Piazzolla: Le Grand Tango for Cello and Piano

1. how you come across to it:
My cellist introduced this piece to me.

2. why this piece?
We have been working on this for her upcoming recital (in less than a month!).

3. (and...)
I am somewhat embarassed to say that before playing this I haven't even listened to any piece by Piazzolla, though I am also pleasantly surprised to find this first encounter with the founder of nuevo tango so enjoyable to listen to, and also, to work with. The opening may give one an impression that this piece is all about strong accents and intricate rhythmic patterns, though gradually, listener-friendly and lyrical themes are introduced one after another. The 3+3+2 rhythm, characteristic of the milonga style, repeats itself stubbornly throughout most of the piece, but somehow one doesn't find this rhythmic regularity dull or bothersome. As in many other Piazzolla, this tango is, no doubt, sensuously passionate, even flirtatious. But on repeated hearings, one finds, deep underneath, a certain melancholy, the kind lamenting the passing of an age, or the death of a hero. This is really the most personal and unique tribute to the great cellist Rostropovich, who originally commissioned this piece.

Here are two very different (but equally good) renditions of this piece. I like the first better.

I. (part 1 only):


II. (parts 1 and 2):


II. (part 3):


Finally, this is a very theatrical 4-hand rendition of the Libertango. Enjoy!