El Tanguero

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
As a player (he is one of the masters of bandoneon, the button squeezebox that is the quintessential tango instrument), composer and bandleader Rodolfo Mederos has been a modernist with a traditionalist's heart. In his native Argentina he collaborated with rockers and jazz players well before it was acceptable to either rockers, jazz lovers, or tangueros. But he also knew his tango. For this, El tanguero is a perfect introduction to his work. The program is a selection from two recent releases by Mederos: Carlos Gardel by Mederos, a set of arrangements of classic tangos for bandoneon and string orchestra, and Tanguazo, an album of Mederos leading his young quintet playing his own compositions and a couple of tango standards. He sounds eloquent and at ease in his lush arrangements of "Cuesta Abajo," "Melodia de Arrabal," and "Golondrinas." (Curiously the romantic "El Dia Que Me Quieras," Gardel's trademark song, is here in a quintet version.) Most intriguing is Mederos's contemporary tango, the cinematic "Un Tanguito Para Valentin" and the urgent (Piazzolla-influenced) "Todo Ayer." --Fernando Gonzalez

Tracks:

Tango
Waltz
Waltz
Don Agustin Bardi
El Choclo
Stella Australis
Milonga Del Viento
Milonga Oriental
Little Rhapsody
Danza In E Minor
Un Dia De Noviembre
I. Confuseta
II. Melancolia
III. Epilogo
Marta
Tango

Album Description

This recording presents a selection of some of the least and the best known exponents of twentieth century Latin-American guitar repertoire, among them the internationally renowned Argentinian composer Máximo Diego Pujol, whose Elegy for the death of a tanguero is an elegant homage to his compatriot, the father of the classical tango, Astor Piazzolla. Leo Brouwer is found in unusually lyrical mood and two of Piazzolla's most popular songs are heard in an arrangement by Colombian-born guitarist Ricardo Cobo.

Customer Reviews:

Perfection.......2006-02-05

What can I say? Every piece on this recording I love, and Ricardo plays them all to perfection. This CD is sure to get more play than most of my other CDs. If you like classical guitar check out all the Naxos label CDs, I own like 4-5 of them, and they are all excellent listening. This one I must say stands out to me, but mainly because of my preference for Latin guitar music.

Sensuous and poetic playing with amazing technique.......2004-08-17

Although I'm honestly tired of all the "Latin collection" CDs out there, this one is played by a "real" Latin and you can hear it from the first track. It is not only believable, but compelling. The poetry in Reis's two pieces (Track 2,3) is simply beautiful and Cobo's phrasing is refreshingly provocative rather than safe. This player's music is fluid, his sound silky and detailed, and his musical thinking exciting and natural. Although I have several versions of Piazzolla on guitar, these arrangements totally rock. Cobo's arrangement of "El Choclo" is dazzling, especially the last variation. Without saying more, every track on this recording is really special. Take it from a serious student of guitar and avid listener- this CD is a must-have if you like guitar.

An eclectic collection of guitar music, wonderfully played!.......2004-07-07

This is my favorite CD of Latin American guitar music. Ricardo Cobo is a Columbian guitarist currently living in Las Vegas and his playing is among the best I've heard. As the liner-notes indicate, this CD features some well-known Latin American composers as well as some who are virtually unknown. (Outside of the Cuban composer Leo Brouwer, all the composers whose music is featured on this CD are South American.)

The pieces by Manuel Pujol are particularly moving (his work in homage to Piazzolla is alone worth the price of the CD!), as are the two works by the little known composer, Dilermando Reis. Also worth mentioning is Leo Brouwer's piece 'Un Dia de Noviembre,' a beautiful modal ballad (in the natural minor 'Aeolian' mode) that sounds almost like 'new age music' but that is more interesting and subtle. I don't particularly care for the two pieces by Astor Piazzolla (the 1st and last tracks on the CD), as I don't think they fit well with the rest of the CD's music, but overall this CD has enough beautiful guitar music to warrant many listenings. Some of the slower pieces are reminiscent of the music of the brilliant Paraguayan guitarist/composer Agustin Barrios, whose music was neglected for too long but is now getting serious attention (I would recommend David Russell's recording of Barrios' music for solo guitar -- simply beautiful).

And with Naxos' extremely low prices, you really can't go wrong with Cobo's CD!

Great guitar CD.......2003-12-18

I've been waiting for this CD to come out. It was worth the wait. The pieces are familiar Latin guitar music. The playing is the best I've ever heard on any Cobo recording. His Latin soul comes through in this recording. With his superior technique he gets an amazing sound out of the guitar. The richness of this music comes through more with each listening. Buy this CD! You won't regret it.

If you like the tango or classical guitar, this is for you.......2003-12-15

I had looked forward to Cobo's release of this collection of Latin American guitar music. There are few players on the planet who can match his technique and sound (he won the prestigious Guitar Federation of America Competition in 1987), and fewer yet with such direct ties to Latin American music (he's a native of Colombia and has received that country's highest honors for accomplishment in the arts). The CD doesn't disappoint. Much of the music is familiar to guitarists, although not all from guitar renditions (Cobo has transcribed some popular tangos from piano or other mediums). Cobo's talent is apparent and consistent throughout. If you like the tango or similar music, and/or if you like to hear the classical guitar played well, you'll like this recording.

Average customer rating:

A Beautiful piece of bandoneon by Mederos

El Tanguero
Rodolfo Mederos
Manufacturer: Wea International
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Argentina | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Tango | Latin Music | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

International | Imports | Stores | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Tangos

ASIN: B000007RXR
Release Date: 2007-03-02

Tracks:

Tanguazo
Un Tanguito Para Valentin
Cuesta Abajo
Melodia De Arrabal
Caminito
Todo Ayer
Golondrinas
Nuestros Hijos
Un Viaje En Taxi
El Dia Ques Me Quieras

Amazon.com

As a player (he is one of the masters of bandoneon, the button squeezebox that is the quintessential tango instrument), composer and bandleader Rodolfo Mederos has been a modernist with a traditionalist's heart. In his native Argentina he collaborated with rockers and jazz players well before it was acceptable to either rockers, jazz lovers, or tangueros. But he also knew his tango. For this, El tanguero is a perfect introduction to his work. The program is a selection from two recent releases by Mederos: Carlos Gardel by Mederos, a set of arrangements of classic tangos for bandoneon and string orchestra, and Tanguazo, an album of Mederos leading his young quintet playing his own compositions and a couple of tango standards. He sounds eloquent and at ease in his lush arrangements of "Cuesta Abajo," "Melodia de Arrabal," and "Golondrinas." (Curiously the romantic "El Dia Que Me Quieras," Gardel's trademark song, is here in a quintet version.) Most intriguing is Mederos's contemporary tango, the cinematic "Un Tanguito Para Valentin" and the urgent (Piazzolla-influenced) "Todo Ayer." --Fernando Gonzalez

Customer Reviews:

A Beautiful piece of bandoneon by Mederos.......2000-04-28

I was surprissed to find in this cd original old and new Mederos's music and some of famous argentinian musicians.When you listen to it you will feel the touch of the bandoneon spirit.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful sample of Argentine guitar music

Homage to Piazzolla

Manufacturer: Music & Arts Program
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Astor Piazzolla - The Soul Of Tango: Greatest Hits

ASIN: B0007SMDFK
Release Date: 2006-01-01

Tracks:

Suite del Plata No. 1: Preludio
Suite del Plata No. 1: Tango
Suite del Plata No. 1: Milonga
Suite del Plata No. 1: Murga
Suite del Plata No. 1: Candombe
Triste No. 4
Norte
Bailecito [From Tres Estudios]
Pala-Pala [From Tres Estudios]
De Sobrepaso
Preludio y Danza
Milonga [Piezas Sudamericanas]
Alfonsina y el Mar
Campero [From Cino Piezas Para Guitarra]
TristFrom Cino Piezas Para Guitarra]
Acentuado [From Cino Piezas Para Guitarra]
Elegia Por la Muerte de un Tanguero: Confuseta
Elegia Por la Muerte de un Tanguero: Melancolia
Elegia Por la Muerte de un Tanguero: Epilogo

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful sample of Argentine guitar music.......2005-06-02

This CD blew me away! I have not heard half this music and want to hear more of it. The tone and phrasing is nicely done. Is Michael Nigro Argentine? Because if he isn't, he fooled me. Beyond the technical virtuosity, the music is played with flare and passion. This CD is a must in your collection. You can visit Mr Nigro's website at www.nigroclassicalguitar.com