Inspired by a great passion for Astor Piazzolla’s tango, The Soul Of The Tango is a critically acclaimed and essential work of the “Nuevo Tango”, played by Yo-Yo Ma’s world famous cello and many of Piazzolla’s former friends and colleagues.

Piazzolla’s old guitarists Sergio and Odair Assad even showed up to work on a pair of tracks arranged by Sergio: the “Tango Suite” (consisting of “Andante” and “Allegro”). The sheer beauty of one of Piazzolla’s tangos is generally enough to warrant the purchase of an album involving these two. An album such as this one, where all of the songs are compositions by Piazzolla is even better. Add to this the masterful playing of Ma, and the surprising facility in which the cello fits into the tango, and you’ve got what is a classic album.

The album begins with “Libertango”, a composition from Piazzolla’s first album that became the theme song for the movie The Tango Lesson. Following is the pair of tracks in the “Tango Suite” from Sergio Assad. Then comes “Sur: Regreso al Amor”, a softer work, though with some definite virtuosity displayed. “Le Grand Tango” is an eleven minute tour de force in the tango. “Tango Remembrances” is a particularly nice work, due to the appearance of Piazzolla’s own playing. “Milonga del Angel” is a seemingly sentimental work that shows off Piazzolla’s ability to express the emotions of a song perfectly and purely. To finish the album, Ma presents “Cafe
1930”, a rather slow paced work, but again, as in the previous song, expresses emotion very fully in its nostalgia.

Overall, the album is a stunning work of art, and even those that may not have heard of Piazzolla could easily be lured to his music via this single album.