Masterful Argentine arranger/composer/pianist Claudio Méndez presents ten pieces arranged in a real Tango style.
The first collection of tango piano arrangements ever published outside of Argentina.
This work is particularly intended for pianists who, although they know their instrument well, are not familiar with the genre.
With this book Méndez has crossed a huge divide of language, poetry and culture to make the true sound of the tango come alive for pianists all over the world.
It is a unique collection of tangos arranged in a perfect argentine style appropriate for ballroom as well as concerts and personal enjoyment. These carefully arranged pieces represent well-known tango composers and were chosen because of their musical qualities of artistic expression.
Each arrangement recreates the real feeling of tango that is difficult to find in the traditional piano scores often written in the early 20th century style that bears little resemblance to the modern sound. Finally you will find the way to sound as a real tango pianist!
The book includes compositions by Villoldo, Gardel, Mores and others. A theory chapter describes the different tango “secrets”.
Méndez takes you on an amazing journey to the tango piano style. Through his clear explanations and arrangements you will learn what you really need to know about tango in this complete book for the intermediate / advanced player.-------------
TANGO THEORY:The book presents a detailed section on tango theory followed by ten amazing examples. This chapter makes this book a comprehensive tango course for pianists really easy to understand: rhythmical patterns, melody variations, and many effects as well as a complete description of the three species of the genre: Tango, Milonga and Tango-Waltz. The aim of this book is to help those academic pianists who are interested in learning the rhythmical and melodic structures of Argentine Tangos.-------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE ARRANGEMENTS: This collection contains 10 beautiful and clear arrangements with an unquestionable musical value that will help you to play tango in the proper Argentine Style.
Each piece is filled with rhythmic devices, chord placement, baselines, and melodic ornamentation and improvisation as used by the most respected pianists of the tango. When you finish this book, you will have all the technical tools and stylistic vision to interpret the multitude of tango piano scores in “el estilo justo”.
The modern tango piano style comes through in these elegant arrangements. The syncopated tango execution, the melody nuances and articulations are clearly written and make them very accessible for the piano player. These arrangements are a fresh approach to the Tango and an incentive to discover the expressive possibilities of this genre. It is a valuable addition to any piano library. All the texts are presented in Spanish and English.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENTS>
Tangos: Cambalache, El Choclo, Tomo y Obligo, Melodía de Arrabal, Gricel, El Último Café.
Milongas: Corralera, Milonga Triste.
Tango-Waltzes: Pedacito de Cielo, Tu Vieja Ventana.
---------------------------
Visit www.myspace.com/claudiomendezpiano and listen to the arrangements played by Claudio Méndez himself.
Pianist, composer and arranger. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1957.
In the ’80s he founded the nuevo tango group “Nuevos Aires.” His aesthetics caught the attention of Astor Piazzolla, who gave him his unpublished composition “500 Motivaciones.” With vocal group Opus Cuatro, Claudio won the “Carlos Gardel Award” in 2001 for “Best Tango Orchestra” with the CD “Tangos, Valses y Milongas.” Since then, he has performed in a tango duo with guitarist Daniel Gómez. Together they have toured internationally, presenting workshops and concerts in Chile, Ecuador, Europe and the USA. They have recorded three CDs: “Tango Nuestro,” “Tangueros” and “Milonga Cromada.” Claudio has taught at various conservatories in Buenos Aires (Argentina). Currently he is a professor at the EMPA (Escuela de Música Popular de Avellaneda) and UBA (Buenos Aires University). 
