Gardel, C :: Tango

Tango

Gardel, C

The name Carols Gardel is still inextricably linked with tango music, even today. It was not just because of his numerous compositions, but also because of his charismatic voice and acting talents that Gardel, as artist and performer of his own works, became one of the most important musical personalities of the first half of the 20th century, revered as a legend far beyond his adopted home of Argentina. Carlos Gardel made the tango internationally popular and was the first and perhaps only Argentinian superstar in show business, enjoying a status subsequently attained only, at most, by Astor Piazzolla. Despite his early death Gardel's tangos remain classics, which no performer who aspires to be taken seriously can ignore.

For this album I have chosen some of Gardel's most popular tangos and arranged them for flute and piano. The timbre of these instruments is exceptionally well suited to evoking in sound the musical riches of an impoverished community of immigrants in Argentina's past, as well as to making the fascination and glamour of Gardel's tango music come alive again. Both parts are of medium difficulty, and the melodies repeatedly introduce new elements of tone production and rhythm, training young musicians in technique and ensemble playing. And, last but not least, these duets are an ideal introduction to the profound music of the tango, whose vitality and versatility are not only fun, but which also holds totally new means of expression in store.

- Diego Collatti