Astor Trio: Live at Kammerkonzerte Köln (2021)

In 2021, the Astor Trio celebrated the 100th birthday of their namesake Astor Piazzolla by reviving the combination of Bach & Piazzolla. Now the live recordings of their grandiose concert at the Chamber Concerts at the Kunstverein have been released by KSG Exaudio. The album is available on all major streaming providers (Spotifiy, iTunes, Amazon etc.) and is only distributed digitally this way.

Guitarist Tobias Kassung had written the homage to Piazzolla "Buenos Aires Fantasie" especially for the anniversary year - a work that bows to the music of the great Argentinean and is tailor-made for the Astor Trio.

Kassung-Marziali: Il Cinema (2019)

With their album IL CINEMA, Tobias Kassung & Luciano Marziali portray one of the most exciting epochs of Italian music: names like Nino Rota or Ennio Morricone stand for unique cinema music that is masterfully arranged and staged by Kassung & Marziali. The two artists use all the possibilities of the guitar duo to create their own orchestra with innumerable sound effects. They combine this music impressively with early Renaissance music by John Dowland and Kassung's own large suite “Il Cinema”, composed especially for this program. The album is available from all popular online providers as streaming or download.

Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (1895–1968)
Die wohltemperierten Gitarren, op. 199
Präludium und Fuge Nr. 4 in E-Dur

John Dowland (1563–1626)
(Arr.: Luciano Marziali)
Semper Dowland Semper Dolens

Stanley Myers (1930–1993)
(Arr.: Luciano Marziali)
Cavatina (aus dem Film „The Deer Hunter“)

Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (1895–1968)
Die wohltemperierten Gitarren, op. 199
Präludium und Fuge Nr. 7 in cis-Moll

John Dowland (1563–1626)
(Arr.: Luciano Marziali)
The King of Denmark’s Galiard

Nino Rota (1911–1979)
(Arr.: Tobias Kassung)
The Godfather Suite

Yann Tiersen (* 1970)
(Arr.: Luciano Marziali)
Die fabelhafte Welt der Amélie

John Dowland (1563–1626)
(Arr.: Luciano Marziali)
Mrs. Nichols’ Almand

Ennio Morricone (* 1928)
(Arr.: Tobias Kassung)
Cinema paradiso

Ennio Morricone (* 1928)
(Arr.: Luciano Marziali)
Zwei glorreiche Halunken

Tobias Kassung (* 1977)
Il Cinema - Suite per due chitarre, op. 10
(Hommage à Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco)
Introduzione – Moderato – Adagietto – Allegro molto

Lieder, Songs & Canciones (2017)

The duo program Cello & Guitar – a charming combination played by two exceptional artists: cellist Lena Kravets and guitarist Tobias Kassung let their instruments sing. Classical music, jazz & flamenco merge and captivate the listeners. Kravets & Kassung combine classical songs by Brahms and Schubert, jazz songs by George Gershwin and Ella Fitzgerald, Spanish Canciones by Manuel de Falla, Russian romances by Michail Glinka and Tango-Ballads by Astor Piazzolla. With breathtaking musicality and perfection, they captivate the listeners. You can tell from the first note how Kravets & Kassung love this music and put their whole heart and soul in every tone. An impressive experience of great musicians! The CD is available at jpc and Amazon. Download and streaming worldwide on all popular platforms such as iTunes, Spotify, Google Play ... and our recommendation for best quality: HighResAudio.

Michail I. Glinka (1804-1857)
(Arr.: Tobias Kassung)
Ich erinnere mich des zauberhaften Augenblicks

Tobias Kassung (*1977)
Variationen auf ein russisches Volkslied, Op. 14

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
(Arr.: Tobias Kassung)
Wie Melodien zieht es mir, Op. 105 Nr. 1
Liebestreu, Op. 3 Nr. 1

Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
(Arr.: Tobias Kassung)
Ständchen
Das Fischermädchen

Manuel de Falla (1876-1946)
(Arr.: Tobias Kassung)
Siete Canciones populares Espanolas
1. El pano moruno
2. Seguidilla murciana
3. Asturiana
4. Jota
5. Nana (Berceuse)
6. Cancion
7. Polo

Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992)
(Arr.: Tobias Kassung)
Tanti anni prima

George Gershwin (1898-1937) / Tobias Kassung (*1977)
Summertime - Hommage an Joe Pass und Ella Fitzgerald

Joseph Kosma (1905-1969) / Tobias Kassung (*1977)
Autumn Leaves

Gershwin & de Falla (2015)

The three musicians of the Astor Trio have managed the rare establishment of a completely new and unusual chamber music ensemble in classical music and thereby inspire the audience and the critics alike. On our new album Gershwin & de Falla we present classical chamber music at its best. Completely new with a groove and a spontaneity that you otherwise encounter only in jazz music. With his music from Porgy & Bess or the Three Preludes George Gershwin - like no other American composer - combined jazz traditions with classical music. Similarly Manuel de Falla: At the same time in Spain, the great national composer wrote masterpieces in which supreme virtuosity, impressionistic sound richness and flamenco traditions of his country join hands. Music that fits perfectly the Astor Trio and that the three interpret congenial. This album has been released in May 2015 and is worldwide available in any download store. We recommend high-resolution download at Quobuz.

George Gershwin (1898–1937):
Three Preludes
1. Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
2. Andante con moto e poco rubato
3. Agitato

The Porgy & Bess Suite
1. It Ain't Necessarily So
2. Bess, You Is My Woman Now
3. A Woman Is a Sometime Thing
4. Summertime
5. There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon for New York

Manuel de Falla (1876-1946)
Siete Canciones populares Españolas
1. El paño moruno
2. Seguidilla murciana
3. Asturiana
4. Jota
5. Nana (Berceuse)
6. Cancion
7. Polo

Danza ritual del fuego (aus / from „El amor brujo“)
Danza Española No. 1 (aus / from „La vida breve“)

Alle Bearbeitungen / all arrangements: Tobias Kassung

Bach & Piazzolla (2012)

On their album "Bach & Piazzolla" the Astor Trio combines the music of Astor Piazzolla with two sonatas of the grand master of the Baroque Johann Sebastian Bach. Baroque meets Tango - this could be a title on first glance. But behind the unusual combination of the trio is more: the sonatas of Johann Sebastian Bach are set impressively modern but still authentically into scene, and thereby reveal their true character as dancing, virtuoso and always beautifully melancholy pieces. Exactly these attributes can also be given to the compositions by Astor Piazzolla, which the trio puts to their rightful place as artistic chamber music full of emotion and beauty.

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750):
Sonate h-Moll BWV 1014
1. Adagio
2. Allegro
3. Andante
4. Allegro

Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992):
Histoire du Tango
1. Bordell 1900
2. Café 1930
3. Nightclub 1960
4. Concert d'aujourd'hui

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750):
Sonate E-Dur BWV 1016
1. Adagio
2. Allegro
3. Adagio ma non tanto
4. Allegro

Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992):
Tanti anni prima
Adios Noniño
Oblivion
Libertango

Alle Bearbeitungen / all arrangements: Tobias Kassung

Grieg, Mozart, Rodrigo & Saint-Saens (2008)

Cologne Classical Ensemble: Grieg, Mozart, Rodrigo und Saint-Saens
Soloists: Tobias Kassung (guitar), Natasha Majer (piano), Irakli Tsadaia (violin)

Edvard Grieg (1843-1907):
Holberg Suite op. 40 ("aus Holbergs Zeit")
1. Präludium (Allegro vivace)
2. Sarabande (Andante)
3. Gavotte (Allegretto) – Musette (Poco piu mosso) – Gavotte
4. Air (Andante religioso)
5. Rigaudon (Allegro con brio)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791):
Klavierkonzert No. 14 Es-Dur KV 449
1. Allegro vivace
2. Andantino
3. Allegro ma non troppo

Joaquin Rodrigo (1901-1999):
Adagio from Concierto de Aranjuez

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921):
Introduction et Rondo Capriccioso

Total time: 61:20

Astor Piazzolla: Four Seasons - Las Estaciones Portenas (2005)

Cologne Classical Ensemble: Astor Piazzolla
Soloist: Irakli Tsadaia (violin)

Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992):
(Arrangements: Tobias Kassung)
"Las Estaciones Porteñas" (Four Seasons in Buenos Aires)
1. Verano Porteno
2. Otono Porteno
3. Invierno Porteno
4. Primavera Portena
5. Café 1930 (aus / from "Histoire du Tango"
6. Nightclub 1960 (aus / from "Histoire du Tango"
7. Libertango
8. Tanti anni prima

Total time: 46:57