Review

Gerardo Matos Rodríguez
La Cumparsita:

Arranged by Wolfgang Birtel

Trombone and piano

Köln, , Germany
Publisher: Verlag Dohr/Universal Edition
Date of Publication: 2020
URL: http://www.universaledition.com

Score and solo part

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

La Cumparsita (the little parade) is one of the most famous and popular tango melodies of all time. It began life as a march and was later turned into its familiar tango version by the Uruguayan musician Gerardo Matos Rodríguez. Premiered in 1916 in Montevideo, it has since that time been arranged for innumerable combinations of instruments. The tango is most often identified with Argentina; yet arguably the most famous work in the genre had its origins in Uruguay. Uruguay is quite proud and also quite touchy about this piece. It was named cultural and popular anthem of Uruguay by Lawin 1997. At the 2000 Olympics in Sydney the Argentine team marched accompanied by the music of La Cumparsita. This outraged the Uruguayan government, which lodged an official protest. Wolfgang Birtel, a prolific and widely published arranger, created this version for trombone and piano. If you are looking to add a short tango to your next recital, this might fit the bill. There are no great technical, rhythmic, range or musical demands. In fact the trombone part can be sight read by a competent player. The paper, layout and printing are all first class.