Customer Reviews

Mi Buenos Aires Querido (My Beloved Buenos Aires): Tangos Among Friends

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a wonderful sentimental and nostalgic collection of some of the finest tangos ever written performed by three superb performers. Daniel Baremboim, the current Chicago Symphony Orchestra director was born and lived the formative years of his childhood in Buenos Aires. Having returned there many years after he left with his family when he was 9 years old, he paid tribute to the beautiful memories of childhood, and the first realizations of the world at large. What better way than to do this by performing wonderful renditions of beautiful tangos.
The tango is a very sophisticated musical form, the dane expresses its passion but the music is very rich in textures, melancholy and depth. It is by its very nature a nostalgic form, that emerged from the songs of Italian and gallego immigrants at the dawn of the 20th century around the port of Buenos Aires. Baremboim's calssical training and experience shines through his performance. But the tango's flavor is provided by the Bandoneon (an accordion like instrument) which is wonderfully played by R. Mederos and is very evocative of the sweet melancholy of past memories--Adios Nonino in particular. The collection also includes one of the finest renditions of El Dia Que Me Quieras I've ever heard. If you love the tango, listening to this CD you might find yourself wishing to be one of the musicians rather than a dancer.

Daniel Baremboim had the happy idea to join forces with tango legends Rodolfo Mederos and Hector Console. Normally, when I buy a cd, I would simply listen to it and enjoy it, but this time I just had to let everyone know how I feel. Ranging from "Guardia Vieja" immortals such as Gardel and Troilo (Pichuco) to the genius of Ginastera to the revolutionary Astor Piazzolla, this recording captures the special air of the "callecitas de Buenos Aires", the smell of the dark bordellos of the "Puerto" where Tango music gestated. This recording, aside from being "sentimental" in Baremboim's words, is technically outstanding, and the trio combines in a master performance of some of the best tangos of great legends. It is truly remarkable. Aunque no soy argentino, me ha hecho sentirme porteño!

This album contains the most beautiful, refined, and expressive tango performances I have ever heard. Not only that, but you CAN dance to them! The accordian playing here is truly fine and sensitive. Barenboim's sense of timing and rubato is always expressive, never excessive, and seems contagious to the rest of the ensemble. I listen to this over and over again and never get tired of it. An unexpected bonus to this double bass aficionado was Contrabajedo's inclusion on this CD. Bravo! You need to buy this CD immediately.

This is music at its best: relaxing, precise, melodic, thoughtful, romantic, and entertaining all at once. You will never get tired of this album. If you enjoy the finer things in life, this is a MUST. There is not a single annoying piece in the whole album. I rate it among my favorite albums of all time. Truly timeless. Enjoy!

A cd that keep on giving. Buy to two and save shipping charges later. You WILL give this to CD to someone you love.

The record "Mi Buenos Aires Querido" has become a dear companion in my house,my office,my car.It is so rare to find a record where all the songs have a strong personality.It's hard to choose the best ones.For those very delicate moments in life, the piano of Barenboim in "La Moza Donoza" is the perfect match.(How can he be so discreet and solidaire at the same time?)For challenging moments try listening the song "Don Augustin Bardi".It will give you the strenght to go on.For angry moments, "El dia que me quieras" will reconciliate you with life in the best terms.And so on. No matter your existencial mood, those three wizards will cherrish, nourrish and embrace your heart and soul.Indulge yourself to their magic.

This is one of the tango CDs I have at home and ALWAYS listen to. You cannot ask for better performers than Daniel Barenboim and Rodolfo Mederos to introduce you to tango music. It includes a great selection of very traditional tangos as well as pieces composed by Astor Piazzola which could be considered more avant garde. You will love Adios Nonino (composed in honor of his grandfather). I cannot recommend it enough.

Barenboim & Mederos deliver an outstanding performance. One of my favorite tango CDs.

There may not be candles or pews or stain glass windows, but the realm of Tango has become an object of reverence for many. Most people have only heard the orchestral versions of this type of music and that is unfortunate. The original tango was a song - not a dance.

ALthough Piazzolla has made Tango accessible for the masses (and transformed it into a new creature in the process) it is Gardel and Salgan who hearken back to the roots of the movement. These are sultry tones, languid, erotic, passionate and exquisite. It is almost impossible to select any one as a favorite so I'll conclude that they all deserve a prize.

While the technical aspects of this recording are beyond question, the nostalgic point of view the performers have chosen transforms these beautiful tangos in whinny pieces.... Tango is about melancholy, that's true, but it's also about machismo, and lacks anything but power.

These fine interpretations are nice to listen to as background music, but don't convey the power of the tango, and so, I must recommend anything else if you are looking for an introduction to this complex music. Piazzola's original pieces, for example, will knock your socks off, compared to the interpretations featured here. The only song I found to be worth on its own, is not a tango, but a beautiful danza by Alberto Ginastera. I have heard many versions of that song and this one is my favourite one by far....