Piazzolla’s music…revolves around two focal points. They are very different, yet both trap and kill you—one brutally, the other softly. The first one is the aggressive, angry, anxious music. The other kind is lyrical and poignant, the stuff of dreams and memories, of longing and yearning. Its long notes come out well on the traditional “singing” instruments, which are capable of emotional nuance. As this disc shows, in the right hands, the trombone can play both roles. Its sound has the necessary vibrancy. As for emotional nuance, apparently it’s just a function of the proficiency of the performer. Also, being smoother than the “standard” Piazzolla instruments, the trombone brings appealing jazziness to the music.

The award-winning, Greek-born trombonist (a permanent player with Canadian Brass) serenades and scampers with seductively sweet tones in popular, jerky tango rhythms used by Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992).

Assisting the soloist are backing musicians ranging from solo guitar in two parts of Histoire du Tango, to a string quartet in the Serie del Angel, with bandoneon (Hector del Curto) and marimba notable in places.

Included is Le Grand Tango, written as a virtuoso item for Rostropovich on cello, and now a brilliant tour de force for trombone and piano (Robert Thompson).

A swinging, sultry collection of arrangements of the Tango King’s music showcasing the exceptional talent of Greek trombonist Achilles Liarmakopoulos. © 2012 BBC Music Magazine

These popular pieces showcase the stunning playing of multi-award winning trombonist Achilles Liarmakopoulos in a variety of moods, including the famous Oblivion and Le Grand Tango. © 2011 The Northern Echo

Piazzolla’s music appears in a variety of arrangements, but this is claimed as the first recording with a trombone as the constant element. I don’t recall having encountered the young Greek trombonist Achille Liarmakopoulos before, but he’s a fine exponent of the music, in combination with a variety of other instruments. You probably already know if you like Piazzolla’s music—and it’s very hard to dislike. If you don’t, this is as good a way as any to get to know it…