Piazzolla’s musical style by violinist Tomás Cotik

Ahead of his upcoming album release Buenos Aires on 26 April 2024, featuring arrangements for solo violin and string orchestra of Piazzolla’s music, violinist Tomás Cotik speaks about Astor Piazzolla’s musical style. The video features music from Cotik’s prior Naxos Piazzolla albums Tango Nuevo and Legacy, as well as some violin and violin and piano versions of the works from his upcoming album Buenos Aires  that features arrangements by Ken Selden for Violin and String Orchestra. 

Renowned for his pioneering work in Nuevo Tango, Piazzolla collaborated with diverse musicians, blending popular and classical influences into his precisely composed yet interpretively flexible pieces. While Nuevo Tango deviates from traditional dance floor tunes, it retains the playful essence of Canyengue, reflecting the colorful characters of Buenos Aires’ compadritos. Piazzolla’s compositions exhibit rhythmic complexity, harmonic innovation, and emotive melodies reminiscent of Italian opera, characterized by dissonance, polytonality, and jazz elements. 

Tomás Cotik currently resides in Madrid, Spain, holding a nine-month-long Fulbright research award during his sabbatical year as a violin professor at Portland State University in Oregon. His recording of Piazzolla ‘Buenos Aires’ is out on 26 April 2024 on Naxos.

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