Critic’s Notebook: The Quinteto Astor Piazzolla in Vienna

A. Piazzolla, "The Late Masterpieces", Quinteto Tango Nuevo (American Clavé, 3CDs, 1993) US | UK | DE

A. Piazzolla, "Mi Buenos Aires Querido", Barenboim, Mederors, Console (Warner, 1996) US | UK | DE

Piazzolla by the Book

Music to fall in love with – but also a distinct lack of flair – characterized the Quinteto Astor Piazzolla's appearance

The first time you hear Astor Piazzolla's music – perhaps from recordings with his New Tango Quintet like "Tango: Zero Hour" or "Live in Wien" – you don't forget that moment easily. The music imprints itself, opens worlds, becomes shorthand for "Argentina" and everything one associates with it. No wonder, then, that the Konzerthaus was packed for the Quinteto Astor Piazzolla on Sunday evening. After all, the ensemble, founded six years after Piazzolla's death, claims to "reproduce the old master's music as he would sound today." And what exactly does that sound like?

Without much ado, the five marched onto the stage of the Großer Saal, punctual, all in their tango-civil-servant uniform: Prussian blue suits, light blue shirts, steel blue ties. Without beating around the bush, lickety-split, one terrific Piazzolla piece after another was reeled off with surprising mechanical precision – working from Unknown to Known ("Oblivion", "Libertango"). Was this Argentine understatement? No trace of communication at first; only after "Contrabajísimo" (with a wobbly double bass solo) were the members' names mumbled through, then it was briskly onward.

The electric guitar got somewhat lost in the quintet. The piano was the driving force and occasionally a bit muddy. The violin mostly drew attention only through its characteristic rasp. The bandoneon dominated. All told, everything remained somewhat pallid. Was it supposed to sound like this? Not that there wasn't some steam generated here and there – but it dissipated immediately. Was it the too-large room? The audience even, which though enthusiastic, listened very well-behaved and politely? Still: one cannot not let oneself be thrilled by this music.