MUSIC | Astor Piazzolla's Masterpiece Reissued on Crystal Disc

Astor Piazzolla

The Dramatic World of Tango on Crystal Disc

The Genius of Modern Tango Revived on the Ultimate Medium

The acclaimed tango musician Astor Piazzolla, whose work has been chosen for the new free program by popular figure skater Daisuke Takahashi, is gaining even more attention. Three of his masterpieces—'The Rough Dancer And The Cyclical Night (Tango Apasionado),' 'Tango: Zero Hour,' and 'La Camorra'—are now reborn as Crystal Discs, boasting the world's finest sound quality. The standard CD editions have also been reissued with the latest remastering for crystal-clear sound. These ultimate albums are available now at rumors! Access via the 'american clave' logo at the end of this article.

"We Dedicated Our Souls to This Record" - Astor Piazzolla

Tango, born from Argentina's popular culture. While known in Japan as a competitive dance, tango originally was music played in bars, accompanied by people dancing and enjoying themselves according to their emotions. The music was improvised, and the dances had no set choreography or style. Unlike 'model student music' that follows complete melodies like classical music, it was music played according to the flow of emotion.

Into this world of tango emerged one man. His name: Astor Piazzolla. An ultimate maverick, an ultimate genius musician.

Born in 1921 in Argentina, the birthplace of tango, he spent his childhood in the United States. In 1938, at the age of 17, he became captivated by the music of Elvino Vardaro's orchestra playing on the radio and immersed himself in the world of tango.

In 1960, he formed a quintet consisting of violin, bandoneon, piano, double bass, and guitar. He then moved his activities to Europe, deepening his exchange with musicians from various genres and freely incorporating diverse techniques from Baroque to contemporary music, jazz, and pop. His groundbreaking style captivated audiences, marking the emergence of a great musician in the tango world.

The masterpiece 'The Rough Dancer And The Cyclical Night,' which achieved record sales in Europe, was also used in Wong Kar-wai's iconic film 'Happy Together' (original title: 'Buenos Aires'), where Piazzolla's tango conveyed unspoken emotions.

Piazzolla's music instantly transforms the atmosphere. You are swept away, completely absorbed in his world. This is true for Japan's leading artists as well. We asked them about the allure of Piazzolla's music, which has captivated them.

'The Rough Dancer And The Cyclical Night,' an unconventional work featuring Latin jazz artists.

Self-described on the packaging as his 'greatest masterpiece'
'Tango: Zero Hour.'

Presenting a fierce intensity on an overwhelming scale
'La Camorra.'

It's astonishing to think that Piazzolla himself, from the afterlife, would be surprised by the luxurious revival of this expressionistic New York trilogy from his later years, produced by Kip Hanrahan, a devoted Piazzolla aficionado. Here lies the trajectory of a liberal artist.” — Toshio Matsuura

Like a dress of silk threads, yet conversely, a hard, steel-like armor fills the tension between coolness and passion.

Including a certain 'wit' or pataphysical element lurking within the improvisations of classical and jazz, it's a case where one can't help but feel admiration and respect for the man.

Piazzolla. Of course, it's wonderful.”
— Tatsuo Sunaga

“Fundamentally, among South American urban music, Argentine tango was the most unconventional. And Piazzolla's work was the most unconventional within that. Produced by the most unconventional of producers,
the most unconventional.

In other words, it inverts,

becoming the most legitimate,

and enduringly classical work.” — Naruyoshi Kikuchi

The Crystal Disc and SACD remastered editions of Astor Piazzolla's works released this time are 'The Rough Dancer And The Cyclical Night (Tango Apasionado),' the final, timeless work of the Piazzolla New Quintet, 'La Camorra,' and 'Tango: Zero Hour,' which Piazzolla himself called his 'greatest recording of my life' and is hailed as a historic masterpiece and the pinnacle of the New Quintet's achievements. These are essential titles that all music fans should listen to at least once in their lifetime.

Astor Piazzolla's world is reborn here as the 'Crystal Disc,' the ultimate CD format befitting the finest sound. Whether you are a tango connoisseur, a beginner, or even someone who claims not to be interested in tango, we urge you to experience Piazzolla's sound, which transcends any mere 'genre.' You will encounter a genius whose world far exceeds our imagination.

Specifications | CRYSTAL DISC EDITION
Price | ¥99,750

Standard Edition

Specifications | SACD/CD Hybrid Edition
Price | ¥3,000

Specifications | CRYSTAL DISC EDITION
Price | ¥99,750

Standard Edition

Specifications | SACD/CD Hybrid Edition
Price | ¥3,000

Specifications | CRYSTAL DISC EDITION
Price | ¥99,750

Standard Edition

Specifications | SACD/CD Hybrid Edition
Price | ¥3,000

Ultimate 3-Disc Crystal Disc Special Box Set
'ASTOR PIAZZOLLA THE LATE MASTERPIECES The Complete Work'

Specifications | CRYSTAL DISC EDITION (3-Disc BOX)
Price | ¥262,500
*All tracks are the same as the standard edition.