ABSTRACT
Chapter 7, ‘Gustavo Beytelmann — His Life, Musical Style and Ensembles and His Contribution to Instrumental Tango Music’, presents the musician in full, following an introduction of the main stylistic norms of tango music and the work of De Caro, Pugliese, Salgán and Piazzolla in previous chapters. The information is organized into three main sections: (1) a brief biography, (2) an analysis of a selection of recordings, arrangements and compositions (Otras voces, Encuentro, Preludio n. 1 and La bordona) and (3) a summary of the musical materials and techniques analyzed. Among the features defining Beytelmann’s style are: the organization and characterization of formal structures through atypical features such as texture or interval classes; rhythmical instability and complexity; mixed meters and polyrhythm; the expansion of the typical use of harmony in tango (through polytonality, tonal centres that do not set clear tonalities and frequent modulations); the implementation of changes in a gradual manner within all parameters and of unifying processes that progress throughout multiple phrases and formal sections; the expanded use of counterpoint and of instruments alien to tango; the interplay between background and foreground layers; and the combination of orchestration, composition and performance techniques from tango, jazz and Western art music.
