'Tango Cello Duets' by Carlos Gardel

'Tango Cello Duets' by Carlos Gardel. Arranged by Diego Collatti. Universal Edition, ₤9.95

Following Tango Violin Duets, Argentinean composer and pianist Diego Collatti offers five of Carlos Gardel’s best-known tangos as cello duos. Gardel, a legend in his own lifetime through his captivating tangos and his charismatic singing on film and in recordings, remains to this day one of the most significant figures in the tango’s history. The first Argentinean superstar in show business, Gardel enjoyed huge status, attained in recent times only by Astor Piazzolla.

So deeply symbolic of the Argentinean character, these mesmerizing tangos are beautifully realized for two cellos by Diego Collatti. "Melodia de Arrabal" offers the first cello a deeply expressive song while second cello articulates the abrupt dance-rhythms. "Por una Cabeza" evokes the sensuous, smoky flavor of Buenos Aires’ night life and bemoans the gambler’s luck with women.

"Volver" speaks of intense longing for a place called home. "El Dia Que Me Quieras" (one of the most recorded songs of all time) tugs at the heartstrings and epitomizes the tango’s intoxicating gripping rhythms. "Mi Buenos Aires Querido" is a fond tilt at Gardel’s adopted city. A romantic plaintive song, it typifies his wider popular urban interpretation from its origins in the underworld of the arrabal.

Even better than a single cello, two intertwining cellos can ideally express the dark thoughts and desires of this sultry dance-form.

Collatti offers ideal ensemble-training pieces for cellists of middle-grade standard and beyond, introducing new and varied tone timbres and rhythms. Universal’s large print is easy reading.