A remarkable discovery today. Who would imagine that Piazzolla played by a folk orchestra in Minsk would sound this sensational? The Orchestra "XXI Century" consists of a bass guitar, four accordions, a dozen-or-so domra (members of the balalaika or mandolin family) and five cymbaly (hammer dulcimers). More than half of the orchestra are what most would classify as folk instruments but there is little folkish in the sound. This is a disciplined and well-rehearsed orchestra led by Sergei Salnik who knows exactly the sound he wants (and he gets it). The orchestra is connected with the Belarusian State University and many of the members are students at the Belarusian State Academy of Music. For reasons which are totally a mystery to me, Minsk in Belarus is a hotbed of Piazzolla music. I continue to be surprised by the quantity and high quality of the Piazzolla performances that are posted from there.
Orchestra "Century XXI" posted three Piazzolla videos today. I am sharing Michelangelo 70 and Fuga y Misterio below because I had difficulty deciding which was the best. There is a third, Tema de Maria, with a singer, violinist and dancer which dilutes the orchestra a bit too much for my taste but the performance is still excellent. I can find no information on the orchestra but certainly hope they have more Piazzolla to share in the future.
If the videos do not appear below click here (Michelangelo) or here (Fuga).
To learn more about Piazzolla videos, visit the Piazzolla Video site.
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