Alfredo Marcucci - Touched By Tango (2002) [SACD]

The Ensemble Piacevole is basically a string quartet joined by a bassist & they specialized in expanding the traditional classical repertory. They hooked up with an Argentine bandoneon player living in Belgium. This album, inspired by the transformation of the tango form created by the late Astor Piazzolla, was the result. It was recorded in Belgium. Piazzolla achieved for the tango the harmonic, melodic & emotional freedoms achieved by jazz much earlier. Five of the selections on this disc are by Piazzolla - thankfully avoiding his most-played pieces - & 2 of the others are from bandoneonist Marcucci. Piazzolla's Five Tango Sensations, commissioned by the Kronos Quartet (& the tango master's last recording before his death in 1992), is included. There are also 2 short tracks from another noted Argentine tango composer-performer, Francisco de Caro. The string quintet has a larger sound than one would associated with only 5 players, & in surround vs. the stereo mix they sound larger yet, plus being placed realistically within a substantial venue's space.