Shark [Alto Saxophone & Piano]

《Escualo》 is a work by the Argentinian composer and bandoneon player Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992). It was composed in 1979 for the violinist Fernando Suárez Paz.
Piazzolla's birth centenary was celebrated in 2021, and his works continue to be widely performed today. He created a unique musical style that fused elements of classical music and jazz with traditional tango.
The title "Escualo" means "shark" in Spanish. Piazzolla was an avid sport fisherman who enjoyed shark fishing, and the piece can be felt to express the experience of shark fishing.
The powerful rhythm at the beginning is based on the Uruguayan "Candombe" rhythm, which also influenced tango. The piece is characterized by a constant sense of tension and thrill, with a mixture of 6/8 and 5/4 time signatures. (Yuto Yamada)