November, 2010 Review of Piazzolla Videos

There were 1028 videos of Piazzolla’s music posted on YouTube in the month of November, 2010, an increase of 58% over the same month in 2009. 607 (59%) of the videos were performance videos featuring live performances. The others were videos which used Piazzolla’s music as a sound track for photo or video montages. I highlighted my journey through these many videos in this blog and in Twitter.

Thirty-nine percent of the performance videos were in the classical mode, 15% in jazz, 19% in nuevo tango and 27% in pop.

Here are the most frequently performed pieces this month (Libertango was the most frequently played – 34% of the total; the others follow in order):

1. Libertango
2. Oblivion
3. Adios Nonino
4. La muerte del ángel
5. Invierno Porteño
6. Verano Porteño
7. Primavera Porteña
8. Histoire du tango – Café 1930
9. Balada para un loco
10. Histoire du tango – Nightclub 1960 / Le grand tango (tie)

The top three on this list seem to be fairly stable month-to-month but the bottom seven change every month.

The performance videos came from 55 different countries. Argentina posted the most videos: 94. The top ten posting countries are listed in order here:

1. Argentina
2. USA
3. Italy
4. Spain
5. Brazil
6. Netherlands
7. Russia
8. Japan
9. Germany
10. Mexico

There were nine Piazzolla originals posted. All but one had been previously posted. The new video featured Piazzolla and Julien Clerc in a performance of Balada para un loco.

Quality of performance varied from excellent to bizarre. My choice for Best of the Month is the Pan Am Symphony's performance of Fracanapa. This is just one performance from a full evenings performance which seamlessly integrated a nuevo tango quartet with a chamber orchestra.

The choice for most bizarre this month is a performance of Adios Nonino chosen for its consistent use of avant-garde harmony.

Best Video of the Month


Most Bizarre Video of the Month


I have put a table with links to all 1028 videos as well as some more information on the videos on the November, 2010 page in my Piazzolla on Video website.