The Road to Bethlehem

This piece by Astor Piazzolla (1921-92) first appeared in a comedy theatre show by Kado Kostzer and Alfredo Arias called Famille d'Artistes. The original piece, La Chanson de la Naissance, had a French text. Piazzolla is best known for his development of Tango Nuevo through his many works that cross the boundaries between tango, jazz, and classical music. This arrangement, which is true to his original tune and harmonic scheme, shows many of these traits. Here, the simple tune and chorus is passed around all sections of the ensemble – including an unaccompanied section – building to the choral tutti with the words "joy to the world."