Astor Piazzolla: Tango Ballet

Violinist Gidon Kremer seems always to exceed our expectations. He's offered us spellbinding recordings of Beethoven's duo sonatas with Martha Argerich, a disc of Valentin Silvestrov's music--even an Arvo Pärt recording. But lately Kremer has focused on one composer: tango master Astor Piazzolla. With Tango Ballet--an early Piazzolla piece written to accompany a short film--we have yet another gem. Divided up into six movements, Tango Ballet slyly melds chamber music and ballet with tango themes (the Argentinean wasn't yet bitten by the jazz bug when he wrote this). The next grouping, Concierto del Angel, is the real show-stopper on this disc. These highlights from Piazzolla's brooding Angel series of compositions erupt in the spirited hands of Kremer and his ensemble. The bandoneon playing of Per Arne Glorvigen adds a sonic depth not found on Tango Ballet and Kremer--especially on Resurreccion del Angel--sounds simply gorgeous. Kremer's 1998 interpretation of Piazzolla's opera Maria de Buenos Aires is also an essential work. This recording features pieces that are less noteworthy, but the playing is just as exquisite. A must-have for Piazzolla fans. --Jason Verlinde