Astor Piazzolla: Aconcagua; Las Cuatro Estaciones Porte¿¿as

by Martynas Levickis, Modestas Pitrenas, Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Mikroorkestra

Overview

The tango has little presence in Lithuania, home to accordionist Martynas Levickis. He claims that he did not come to the bandoneon music of Astor Piazzolla until he was well into his career, and indeed, accordionists do not play it so often, preferring to leave it to the original bandoneon (a related but distinctive instrument). Be that as it may, Levickis offers several fresh takes on two familiar Piazzolla works. First is the accordion, which has a more dominant position in the orchestral textures of the bandoneon concerto Aconcagua and in the intriguing arrangement of the Cuatro Estaciones Portenas ("Buenos Aires Four Seasons") heard here. The second is that the arrangement, for which no one is credited (perhaps it is by Levickis himself). It is for strings and a small chamber group, with piano but without the electric guitar of the quintet for which Piazzolla composed these pieces. The piano picks up much of the guitar's material, and the pieces feature a great deal of rhythmic counterpoint between the piano and Levickis' accordion. The arrangement lies between Piazzolla and the more "classical" orchestral versions of this and other Piazzolla works that are circulating, and it has quite a satisfying effect. Levickis' Aconcagua concerto, with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra under Modestas Pitrenas, is vigorous and strong. A novel Piazzolla release even for those who may own several versions of these pieces. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	05/06/2022
Label:	Accentus
UPC:	4260234832624
Rank:	118852

Tracks

1. Aconcagua Concerto for Bandoneon and Orchestra~I. Allegro marcato
2. Aconcagua Concerto for Bandoneon and Orchestra~II. Moderato
3. Aconcagua Concerto for Bandoneon and Orchestra~III. Presto
4. Las Cuatro Estaciones Porte¿¿as~Invierno Porte¿¿o. Allegro moderato
5. Las Cuatro Estaciones Porte¿¿as~Primavera Porte¿¿a. Allegro moderato
6. Las Cuatro Estaciones Porte¿¿as~Verano Porte¿¿o. Lento
7. Las Cuatro Estaciones Porte¿¿as~Oto¿¿o Porte¿¿o. Fuga. Allegro

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Martynas Levickis   Primary Artist,Accordion
Modestas Pitrenas   Primary Artist,Conductor
Mikroorkestra   Primary Artist,Orchestra
Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra   Primary Artist,Orchestra

Technical Credits

Aleksandra Keriene   Engineer,Recording Producer
Dieter Ladewig   Cover Image
Lionel Doutre   Liner Note Translation
Erik Dorset   Liner Note Translation
Evelina Staniulyte   Engineer
Dainius Putinas   Photography
Vilius Keras   Engineer,Mastering,Recording Producer
Vytautas Kederys   Engineer
Christin Linsse   Label Manager
Heidi Falk   Design
Karsten Bluethgen   Liner Notes
Paul Smaczny   Producer
Teodoras Biliunas   Photography
Astor Piazzolla   Composer