Astor Piazzolla – Sheet Music & Scores

“My music makes you think. Those who love tango, and those who like good music.” Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992)

The name of the Argentinian Bandoneon player and composer Astor Piazzolla is synonymous with the word Tango. He is considered the founder of Nuevo Tango, which is based on Tango Argentino. His most popular works include Oblivion and the Libertango.

Early life

After spending the first four years of his life in Argentina, Piazzolla moved to New York with his family in 1925, where he spend most of his childhood. At the age of 8, Piazzolla was given his first Bandoneon, and having moved back to Buenos Aires at the age of 17, in 1946 he founded his first orchestra, at just 25 years old.

The birth of Nuevo Tango

Having followed his dream of being a Tango Bandoneon player, at the age of 30, he decided to pursue his other passion, classical composition. In 1951, Piazzolla moved to Paris to study composition with Nadia Boulanger. It was here that the seeds were sown for Nuevo Tango, the fusion of tango and classical music, which defined Piazzolla’s career and legacy.

His legacy

Over the next forty years, Piazzolla lived in Argentina, Paris & the US, and he formed many different orchestras and ensembles, the most famous of which being the “Quinteto Tango Nuevo”, founded in 1960, which was the main vehicle for Piazzolla’s Nuevo Tango composition.

Piazzolla toured the world, and his music featured in many films & TV adverts and shows. In 1986, he was awarded a Cesar Award in Paris for his film score “El exilio de Gardel”, and in 2008, sixteen years after his death, the Mar del Plata airport was named in his honour, the Astor Piazzolla International Airport, Buenos Aires.

More Astor Piazzolla Links

• Piano Pieces by Astor Piazzolla
• Accordian Music by Astor Piazzolla
• Guitar Works by Astor Piazzolla
• Violin Music by Astor Piazzolla
• Cello Works by Astor Piazzolla
• Saxophone Pieces by Astor Piazzolla
• Clarinet Music by Astor Piazzolla
• Symphonic Works by Astor Piazzolla
• Bandoneon & Tango Orchestra Hits by Astor Piazzolla
• Play-Alongs by Astor Piazzolla