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 Artist
and genre is a winning couple which always creates results that
are extraordinary. Here some examples: Jobim Bossa Nova
/ Casadei Ballroom / Strauss Viennese Waltz / Piazzolla
Nuevo Tango / De Lucía Flamenco, and so on.
The couple, which in this case still emerging, consists of the
Argentine accordionist Chango Spasiuk and his Chamamé.
This music is born in the borderland between the north of Argentina
and the south of Brazil.
This music has got an important element, from our point of view,
given that the main instrument is accordion. It draws its inspiration
from a country in which nature still keeps its strong power with
forests, rivers and waterfalls. Coincedentally, the booklet on
the CD back sleeve has a picture showing a cart carrying wood,
towed by a couple of oxen.
Chango's accordion
music in this CD is accompanied by violin, bass and percussion.
In the CD booklet are some notes whereby the artist is compared
to Piazzolla, his fellow countrymen. The two's greatness is not
being compared, but rather, their effort to carry out the same
kind of style; Piazzolla mixing traditional tango with jazz raised
this dance music to art music and so in "The
Charme of Chamamé",
Spasiuk wishes to do the
same.
Keeping in mind the similarities of Spasiuk to Piazzolla, I find
there are some important differences between the two: Piazzolla
blended much more than tango and jazz (very strong elements of
classical music aren't to be forgotten, starting from his studies
with Ginastera and, above all, with Nadia Boulanger, goin on with
elements of contrapuntal writing, elements gathered from contemporary
music of the 20th century), and he obtained a highly 'Urban' music;
Spasiuk's music is absolutely 'rural.'
The unquestionable validity of Spasiuk's musical plans has spurned
great results. This CD gives listeners an enjoyable taste of rural
flavour that has been achieved with such mastery and care that
is evident throughout the CD. Don't miss track 19; a very sweet
piece sung by Mercedes Sosa!
Reviewed by Paolo
Picchio.
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