Album Notes

Tango Espejo was formed in 2008 for Garold Fowler’s research on Astor Piazzolla’s compositions for quintet. Tango Espejo’s debut was in March of 2009 and they have continued with the same purpose and mission: to perform Piazzolla’s compositions in the style of Piazzolla.

The musical scores Tango Espejo performs from are critical performer editions created by Garold Fowler. Tango Espejo relies on the recorded performances of Astor Piazzolla and his musicians to accurately analyze and research each composition they perform. Tango Espejo uses Piazzolla’s words and the words of his musicians to ensure the scores and their performances are authentic to Piazzolla’s wishes.

Piazzolla’s compositions for quintet represent a large portion of the composer’s contribution to chamber music literature. Piazzolla’s music is becoming increasingly popular especially with works like the Four Porteño Seasons of Buenos Aires. This specific work and so many others were not written for an orchestra – they were composed for his quintet. They are thoroughly written compositions for quintet – as thoroughly written as a Beethoven quartet. Piazzolla reminded us throughout his life that he made no competition with Jazz and that his compositions were thoroughly written. Piazzolla retained in his music the aspect of the tango genre that cannot be written – music freedom. A musical freedom that is similar to the musical freedom in Italian Opera. Tango Espejo aims to preserve Piazzolla’s musical genius.