PIAZZOLLA, ASTOR: HOMMAGE A PIAZZOLLA - Music Of Pizzolla & Peterburshsky

One of the most original artists of his generation, violinist Gidon Kremer performs the work of composer, arranger, bandoneon virtuoso and tango master Piazzolla, displaying a new dimension in both his playing and repertoire for Hommage a Piazzolla. Kremer (who collaborated with Adams on the Nonesuch release of Adams' Violin Concerto has assembled a group of musicians modeled after the legendary quintet Piazzolla used for his performances--violin, guitar, bass, piano and bandoneon. On Hommage a Piazzolla Kremer is highly successful at conjuring that emotional tug-of-war in his interpretations of Piazzolla's music. His passionate readings of the composer's works range from haunting to romantic to rigorous to melancholy. One of the world's best known classical violinists, Kremer ventures into this musical style for the first time.

Gidon Kremer, who plays the standard violin repertoire so well, has remained a restless explorer of music. Here is his first album of Piazzolla arrangements, introduced by a moving and perceptive assessment of Piazzolla by composer John Adams. Kremer has completely steeped himself in the spirit of the tango, and of Piazzolla's transformation of this music into concert works. The selection (mostly larger-scale Piazzolla works), the varied arrangements, and the compelling quality of the playing make this one of the best albums of this music not involving the composer's own performances. And if you love it, you'll be glad to know that Kremer's second Piazzolla album is also available. --Leslie Gerber