Astor Piazzolla in Portrait

Unfortunately, most of us did not get to see Astor Piazzolla perform when he was alive. Now, thanks to the BBC, at least one of his live performances has been preserved for posterity. Astor Piazzolla In Portrait is a mixture of music, biography, and interviews of people germane to his story. It is an extremely important work for those who love the music of Astor Piazzolla in that it captures the essence of the man. It is important as well for those who are undecided about him, because after you see and hear this, you will be a fan forever.I went straight to the music. The set is rather short yet is extremely powerful. Piazzolla offers commentary on his music between each song, giving the listener greater understanding of what Piazzolla is about. The songlist tilts heavily toward his modern material, and though I would have liked to hear some other songs as well, I am grateful that this DVD exists at all!Highlights are an exquisite rendering of Milonga Del Angel, Zero Hour, and what is perhaps his best-known piece, Adios Nonino. The bonus feature of a rehearsal take of Milonga del Angel with James Crabb on accordion and Joanna MacGregor on piano is beautifully done as well and is about as true to Piazzolla as one can get on an accordion.After the music, check out the hour and forty-five minute Tango Maestro which is a biography of Piazzolla interspersed with short interviews of musicians who featured prominently in Piazzolla's life. If that isn't enough, there is nearly another hour of additional interviews with family and some of the musicians Piazzolla worked with during his final decade. This is not boring stuff by any means, all these features bring Piazzolla vividly to life. And if you come away without a greater understanding of the man and his music, its time to watch and listen again!If you are interested in Piazzolla on any level, I highly recommend this DVD. It is one you will want to watch time and again, and one you will cherish for life. With the DVD comes an informative booklet in English, French and Spanish. Get Astor Piazzolla In Portrait while its available, you won't regret it!

There are two programs here - a biographical portrait including interviews and rare concert footage as well as a complete concert by the 1989 Sextet which is one of the few recorded documents of the last (tragically short) phase of Piazzolla's career. The music is extremely dark, passionate and intense.There is some studio work by the Sextet (including new pieces not found elsewhere) on the various versions of  57 Minutos con la Realidad  which is also highly recommended. That album also includes recordings of portions of the BBC concert documented here.There are other live recordings of this group:  The Lausanne Concert , Luna , Astor Piazzolla & The New Tango Sextet: Live at the BBC 1989  (the audio of the concert presented here), and  Tres Minutos con la Realidad

For somebody like me that has never hear before Piazzolla's music, this DVD is excellent, as it provides not only a good sample of his music but a concise summary of his biography, together with related commentaries of some outstanding persons such as Yo Yo Ma and Daniel Baremboin. .

This is a must-have documentary for any fan of Astor Piazzolla's music! It was thrilling--and perhaps even chilling--to see footage of Piazzolla and his great band play some of his most famous compositions! He was a virtuoso bandoneon player and a brilliant composer!!

If you are a Piazzolla fan, you must own this. It is an unforgettable portrait of his musical genius. His family, his arrangements, the complex bandoneon, the exceptional musicians who respect, support, and love him; it's all presented as a powerful life. A must have.

Piazzolla's music will remain as well known as classical composers are remembered. Music to watch or just to relax and enjoy with eyes closed.

Excellent stuff.

I love Astor Piazzolla and first heard of him during a trip to Argentina. Upon return I ordered this album and was not disappointed. It delivers a great sampling of the artist's talent.

Very very nice DVD.If you will know about Piazzolla and his music,you must have this DVD.

Ce DVD en trois grandes parties est d'une grande richesse. Tango Maestro (106') fait le portrait de Piazzolla. Il est composé de nombreux extraits de conversations entre le compositeur et des personnalités de son cercle de musiciens et d'autres personnes gravitant autour du Maestro. L'image qui ressort de ce portrait est certes celle d'un grand musicien du XXème siècle conscient de ses qualités mais aussi celle d'un homme peu facile à vivre et avec des orientations politiques versatiles. Tango Nuevo (45') est le concert en entier de Piazzolla enregistré dans les studios de la BBC en 1989. Sublime. L'aboutissement dans la modernité du tango revisité par le Maestro. Enfin ce DVD compte 14 courtes interviews (54') qui en quelques minutes chacune offrent un regard complémentaire sur l'homme et l'artiste. Pour qui veut mettre un visage aux sublimes enregistrements de Piazzolla qui révolutionna le tango sans faire l'unanimité et qui imposa par la suite sa vision du tango comme un pilier du genre, ce DVD (entièrement sous-titré en français et d'autres langues) est un bijou.

Si vous aimez la musique de Piazzolla, ce DVD est tout simplement indispensable; ne serait ce que pour l'extraordinaire démonstration de son talent à laquelle nous pouvons assister dans le concert présenté ici, sous le titre de Tango Nuevo (durée 45:37). Un moment fabuleux, presque magique, ou cette musique s'impose dans son évidence en nous rappelant l'éphémère de la vie, sa joie, sa tristesse, ses promesses non tenues. Les mots sont bien insuffisants pour transmettre la force de cette musique. En complément, de très nombreux témoignages, souvent contradictoires, sur le Maitre, qui ne font que renforcer le mystère de la source de sa richesse créative; mais qui s'en étonnera ...

Ecellent

Très bon dvd qui retrace la vie de Piazzolla, avec de nombreux extraits de concerts, beaucoup d'interviews avec ses proches et ses musiciens. Passionnant!...