Alfredo Marcucci (1929 - 2010)

Alfredo Marcucci died on June 12, 2010. He was a great bandoneónist and an inspiration and teacher for another great bandoneónist, Carel Kraayenhof. Rather than write further, I will turn to the words created by Channel Classics to accompany the video they posted today:

Bandoneón player Alfredo Marcucci has died June 12, 2010 in Landen, Belgium at age 81.

Alfredo Marcucci was taught the profession by his uncle, the great Bandoneón player Carlos Marcucci. Since 1947 Alfredo played in the big orchestras of the time: Raúl Kaplún, Carlos di Sarli, Julio de Caro. At the end of the 1950's, when the Tango got less popular he toured the world with the folklore group Los Paraguayos for 15 years. After meeting his Dutch wife he chose to stop playing professionally and starts working in a factory to be able to support his family. In 1986 he is able to retire and starts Orquesta Típica. He teaches Leo Vervelde and Carel Kraayenhof, Sexteto Canyengue the art of the Bandoneón. A "second youth" starts and with Channel Classics he records 'Timeless Tango', 'Touched by Tango' and in 2004 - in honor of his 75th birthday, - 'a life of Tango'.

If the video does not appear below, click here.



The song in this video, Chiquilín de Bachin, was written by Piazzolla and Horacio Ferrer in 1968 or 1969 to tell the story of a young boy who sold flowers at a restaurant they frequented, the Bachin. As sung by Amelita Baltar, the simple waltz became one of Piazzolla's first hits.

Note added 20 June, 2010: Today, I received a note from Jared Sacks of Channel Classics. I received his permission to add the note to this blog. I think it adds to the measure of the man.

Dear Don,

I appreciate your support in getting the word out about Alfredo. I was fortunate to have spent a few hours with him last week. He was full of life and spirit even though he knew he had about a week to live. A real inspiration as a person and musician. If my record labels means anything at all, then our video clip with him and the recordings are truly a memory that will live on. I must have looked at this video a thousand times and yet I must always look again. The music and his music making are just so made for each other.

greetings
Jared Sacks

To learn more about Piazzolla videos, visit the Piazzolla Video site.