Jan 26 2009
Clint Edwards’ Music Mondays: January
Bela Horvath, Xiayin Wang, Raphael Dube, and Tom Palny
“Verano Porteno” (Summer) from “Three Tangos based on themes of Piazzolla”
Music arranged by CLINT EDWARDS (based on themes of Astor Piazzolla)
Performed by Xiayin Wang (piano) and the Amity Players: Bela Horvath (violin), Tom Palny (viola), and Raphael Dube (cello).
Pianist Xiayin Wang and the Amity Players recently included three tangos I arranged for them in a performance in Carnegie Hall, on the Weill Hall stage. The performance took place in January 9th, 2009 and coincided with the release of their new CD “Brahms’ Piano Quartets.” This was the second performance of the tangos in Weill Hall.
Here is a live recording of “Verano Porteno” from the performance on January 9th.
A little history…
In the fall of 2006 Xiayin approached me about arranging three of Astor Piazzolla’s tangos into a suite to perform with a piano quartet. Various arrangements of these tangos existed but none seemed to fit the needs of the group, especially given that they would share the bill with much larger 19th century romantic chamber works by Brahms and Faure. I wrote with the dual goal of expanding the simple ABA structures of the original tangos and adding weight to the material by showcasing the virtuosic capabilities of each player and the ensemble as a whole.
From the program notes by Paul Griffiths:
“Verano Porteno” (Port District Summer) dates from the Argentine composer’s first years back in Buenos Aires after his stay in New York in 1958-60. Composed for a play, it was an immediate hit, and helped Piazzolla counter the disparagement and outrage that had been voiced in his direction by tango conservatives in Argentina. It’s middle section sits nicely on strings in this version.
Later, Piazzolla added three more pieces to make a Buenos Aires “Four Seasons.”
Here are some photos from that night:
With Xiayin Wang
With Mom and Dad before the concert
With Robbie
Raphael Dube and Tom Palny on stage (trying to find me in the audience)
Xiayin Wang, Tom Palny, Raphael Dube, and Bela Horvath