Parsons Playlists: Soul of the Tango

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Xipeng (class of 2024) and features tango music.

Soul of the Tango

Bandoneon

Yo Yo Ma – “Libertango”

Astor Piazzolla & Roberto Goyeneche – “Balada Para un Loco”

Astor Piazzolla & Quinteto Tango Nuevo – “Milonga del Angel”

Curtis Chamber Ensemble – “Four Seasons of Buenos Aires”

Gidon Kremer, Alois Posch, Per Arne Glorvigen & Vadim Sakharov – “Allegro Tangabile”

Tango Rosa Rio – “Soledad”

Astor Piazzolla & Quinteto Tango Nuevo – “Escualo”

Evgenia Nekrasova & Nikita Kravets – “Butcher’s Death”

Hauser with the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra – “Oblivion”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zew-4PqS9QemNgw_qIAGtgqn&si=EcBNdVISZlwTqLuF

Arachnophonia: Astor Piazzolla

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Xipeng (class of 2024) and features Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla. Thanks, Xipeng!

Astor Piazzolla

Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992)

Born in Argentina in 1921, Astor Piazzolla’s journey in music began at a young age, studying the bandoneón, a type of accordion central to tango music. The composer’s fusion of tango with elements of jazz and classical departs from the conventional Argentine genre. His compositions, also known as “nuevo tango”, presented newfound complexity and depth. This bold experimentation elevated tango from its origins as popular dance music to a sophisticated art form.

Piazzolla’s most famous work is Libertango, which was released in 1974. The piece embodies Piazzolla’s distinctive style, blending both traditional and modern elements to create a composition that transcends cultural boundaries.

Another notable composition by Piazzolla is Adiós Nonino, a deeply personal piece written in memory of his father with sorrow and nostalgia.

Estaciones Porteñas (Four Seasons of Buenos Aires”, written between 1965 and 1970, is also another remarkable work from Piazzolla, reinterpreting Antonio Vivaldi’s renowned classical composition. Through the innovative fusion of classical and tango music, Piazzolla creates a dynamic musical journey that appeals to audiences with its expressive melodies and emotional resonance.

We have the book Le Grand Tango: The Life and Music of Astor Piazzolla, which is a must read for every Piazzolla fan and tango music lover. Feel free to check out CDs and scores and explore the magic of the captivating art form!

Parsons Playlists: Dancing With The Stars

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Deisy (class of 2024) and features some songs one might perform to on Dancing with the Stars.

Dancing with the Stars

Have you ever wished you could be in Dancing with the Stars? Dancing away to some Tango, Merengue, and Swing. Well now you can start practicing with these songs! A variety of genres to get you started.

Dancing with the Stars logo

Michael Bublé – “Sway”

Hugh Laurie – “Kiss of Fire”

The Strings of Paris – “Ole Guapa (Tango)”

Jose Feliciano – “Sabor a mi”

Yuki Hayashi – “Amor proibido”

Gilberto Santana Rosa – “La Agarro Bajando”

Adalberto Gonzales – “La Noche Mas Linda del Mundo”

La Sonora Matancera, Nelson Pinedo – “Quen Sera?”

Andres Cepeda – “Piel canela”

Morten Harket – “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You”

Michael Bublé – “Feeling Good”

Adalberto Gonzales – “Nadie se salva de la Rumba”

Adolescent’s Orquestra – “Ahora Entregate”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZeyOvQ49pknOEyoA2sdWk5Bp