Astor Piazzolla, the Argentine bandoneon player and tango composer, is renowned for his significant role in evolving Argentine Tango into the innovative Nuevo Tango style.
Astor Pantaleón Piazzolla was born on March 11, 1921, in Mar del Plata, Argentina. When he was four years old, his parents relocated to New York City for work, leaving young Piazzolla to explore his interests independently. He immersed himself in his father's collection of tango orchestra records, featuring artists like Julio de Caro and Carlos Gardel. At the age of eight, his father gifted him his first bandoneon. In 1933, he began taking music lessons from Bela Wilda, who provided him with a foundation in music theory and composition. Wilda also introduced him to playing several of Bach's compositions on the bandoneon. Piazzolla even had the opportunity to meet Carlos Gardel in 1934, and Gardel was so impressed with the young musician that he invited Piazzolla to join him on tour. However, Piazzolla's father vetoed the idea due to his son's young age. Strangely enough, Gardel's entire orchestra tragically perished in a plane crash during that very tour.
In 1939, Piazzolla joined the orchestra of the renowned Aníbal Troilo, who later became known as the composer of orquesta típica. Piazzolla's work with the orchestra earned him a substantial commission, which he used to fund music lessons with Alberto Ginastera. He also began arranging compositions for Aníbal Troilo. In 1944, he collaborated with Francisco Fiorentino and co-composed his first two instrumental tangos, "La Chiflada" and "Color de rosa." Around the same period, Piazzolla composed "Preludio No. 1 for Violin and Piano" and "Suite for Strings and Harps." In 1946, he established his own orchestra, "Orquesta Típica," with which he composed "El Desbande." In 1954, he commenced formal studies with the great Nadia Boulanger at the renowned Fontainebleau Conservatory in Paris. During this time, he delved into counterpoint and was exposed to various musical genres, including Gerry Mulligan's jazz.
In 1955, Piazzolla founded the "Orquesta de Cuerdas" and introduced the revolutionary Nuevo Tango style, which reimagined harmony and melodic structure. One of his most famous tangos, "Adiós Nonino," was composed as a tribute to his late father. His 1965 album, "El Tango," garnered significant acclaim.
Astor Piazzolla also found success composing film scores, including "El Exilio de Gardel," for which he received the French Critics César Award in Paris. He contributed to over forty-five films and released more than sixty albums in total, showcasing his versatility in Nuevo Tango and jazz. His legacy as one of the most prolific musicians of his time endures, and he passed away on July 4, 1992.
