Astor Piazzolla’s Milonga del angel is a track that is adored by many. Astor Piazzolla named this song after the title of his 1993 album which carries the same title. The Milonga is a type of music that immediately precedes the tango music and the tango dance. Therefore, many references to milonga often refers to a type of dance similar to the tango but is executed more softly than the original tango. To accompany this lighter form of dance, the Milonga often starts slow and sentimental to reflect how soft the feeling and emotions should be. The Milonga del angel was meant to attract a large American following. Therefore, Astor Piazzolla wanted to compose the music building upon the most recognizable aspects in music by many Americans.
The album’s stealthy style is no different than the sensual music that is often produced by the famous Milonga. The Milonga del angel is just as complex as beautiful as the original Milonga. There are many elements that make up this beautiful arrangement. Some of these elements that invoke the emotions sought out by the composer includes: strummed bass chords, violin lines, piano chords, a bandoneon and an electric bass. With all of the elements working harmoniously together, there are times where it may seem as if the listener is in a small Jazz pub. Astor Piazzolla purposely composed the music to invoke this exact feeling. Not only did Piazzolla record this music to reflect hints of Jazz, he loved Jazz so much that the entire record had small underlining hints of Jazz.
In addition to producing a surprise at every corner, this album leaves the listener wanting more and expecting the unexpected. It also forces the listener to pay attention to the charming story his music tells. The music seems to take a life on its own and floats the listener away to a fantasy place which noone has ever seen before. There is no wonder why Astor Piazzolla’s Milonga del angel was dubbed the best recording he has ever done in his entire life by the large following of Astor Piazzolla and the late Astor Piazzolla himself. After his death, this record shortly became one of the most recognized and top selling Nuevo Tango albums ever made.