Astor Piazzolla

Astor Piazzolla

Timeline:

Birthdate: March 11, 1921

1924: Emigrated to New York with his family

November 30, 1931: Makes his first record, Marionette Spagnol at the Radio Recording Studio in New York.

1937: Returned to Buenos Aires. Gave concerts and made tango arrangements for Anibal Troilo.

1944: Left Troilo’s band, and formed the orquesta del 46

1954: Was awarded a scholarship to study in Paris for a symphony composed for the Buenos Aires PO

1955: Resettled in Argentina, and formed the Octeto Buenos Aires

1969: El Tango

1974: Left Argentina, and settled in Paris.

1985: Tangos: The Exile of Gardel

1987: Sur

1989: Five Tango Sensations

Death date: July 5, 1992

Biography:

Astor Piazzolla was born in Mar del Plata, Argentina. He was an only child. In 1924, Astor and his family moved to New York. Not only was Astor Piazzolla an Argentine composer, he was also a bandoneon player, and a bandleader. His father gave him his first bandoneon when he was just eight years old. Astor has two children with his wife Dede Wolff, Diana, and Daniel.  Astor credits his love of Bach to Bela Wilda whom he studied with in 1933. At the age of seventeen, he moves to Buenos Aires. In 1939, he joins the Anibal Troilo orchestra, and plays the bandneon. In 1944, at the age of 28, Astor decides to discontinue playing the bandneon, and instead dedicate himself to writing and pursuing his musical studies. While in Paris, studying with Nadia Boulanger, he discovers his heart truly lies in tango, not classical music. He returns to Argentina in 1955, and forms the Octeto Buenos Aries. He leaves the group three years later and returns to New York. In 1966, Astor and Dede separate. His particular brand of tango was later referred to as ‘nuevo tango.’ He meets Laura Escalada, the last woman he would marry in 1976. In 1989, Astor forms his last group, the New Tango Sextet of unusual characteristics: two bandoneons, piano, electric guitar, bass and cello, with whom he he performs his last concert and tours throughout the US, Germany, Holland, and England. He suffers a stroke on August 4^th, 1990, and continues to experience distress from this incident until his death on July 4^th, 1992. Under Astor Piazzolla’s tango, he created extremely unique music that has influenced the best musicians throughout the world.

Bibliography:

Cliff Eisen. "Piazzolla, Astor." Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press.Web. 6 Mar. 2014.<http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com.ezproxy.lib.umb.edu/subscriber/article_citations/grove/music/45192?q=Astor+Piazzolla&search=quick&pos=1&_start=1>.

Kuri, Carlos, and Jorge Pessinis. "Astor Piazzolla: Chronology of a Revolution." Piazzolla.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Mar 2014. <http://www.piazzolla.org/biography/biography-english.html>.

Discography:

1944-1964, 20 Años de Vanguardia: Philips/Polygram, SC-3156, 1964;

An Evening in Buenos Aires: P-Vine/Blues Interactions, PCD-2885, 1959;

El Desbande: El Bandoneon, EB-CD-2, 1947;

Finally Together - Vol 1: Astor Piazzolla and the New Tango Sextet: Lucho Records, 7704-2, 1989;

Historia del Tango Vol. 1 - La Guardia Vieja: Polydor, 314 511 638-2, 1966;

Historia del Tango Vol. 2 - La Epoca Romantica: Polydor, 314 511 639-2, 1966;

La Camorra: American Clave, AMCL 1021 CD, 1988;

Muerte del Angel: Milan, 7313835841-2, 1973;

Octeto Buenos Aires: ans Records, ans 15275-2, 1957;

Sur: Milan, CD CH 358, 1987;

Tangos: EMI Preferences, 2526322, 1990;

Una Noche en Buenos Aires (CD#1): EMI-Odeon, TOCP-50668-2, 1947;

Una Noche en Buenos Aires (CD#2): EMI-Odeon, TOCP-50668-2, 1947

http://www.piazzolla.org/works2/piazzolla8.html