Biography of Antonio Agri

Argentine violinist, composer, and conductor

Antonio Agri was an Argentine violinist, composer, and conductor who gained recognition for his work in both tango and classical music genres. He was born on May 5, 1932, in Rosario, Argentina. Agri studied music under Dermidio Guastavino and made his debut as part of a quartet in Córdoba in 1947. He later became a member of orchestras led by Julian Chera, Lincoln Garrot, and José Sala in Rosario. Agri then joined the tango quartet "Los poetas del Tango" before leading the string quartet "Quinteto de Arcos Torres/Agri".

In 1961, Agri became a member of the Rosario Symphony Orchestra, and it was there that Nito Farace, a renowned violinist in Anibal Troilo's orchestra, recommended him to the famous musician and composer Astor Piazzolla, who revolutionized the world of tango. Piazzolla invited Agri to join the performances of "Quinteto Nuevo Tango," which made its debut in April 1962. In 1963, Agri played in "Nuevo Octeto" and the famous orchestras led by Osvaldo Fresedo, Horacio Salgán, Mariano Mores, Alberto Caracciolo, and Roberto Pansera.

In 1968, Piazzolla made Agri the first violinist in the musical "María de Buenos Aires," and their collaboration continued with the recording of "Conjunto 9" with RCA Victor in 1971. Agri traveled the world with the ensemble but later regretted leaving it after receiving an offer to become a violinist in one of the world's best opera theaters, Teatro Colón.

In 1973, Agri formed his own string ensemble called "Mosalini/Agri Quintet" in Paris, which included violin, viola, cello, and double bass, with Juan Jose Mosalini. His son, Pablo Agri, also joined the quintet, and the two often performed as a duet. Agri later became one of the founders of "Nuevo Quinteto Real." One of their most famous albums is the anthology of works by bandoneonist Anibal Troilo, "Suite Troileana," released in 1975.

As a guest soloist, Agri recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London and with guitarist Paco de Lucía, a world-renowned flamenco performer, throughout the 1990s. He also performed as a soloist on recordings such as "Retrato de Alfredo Gobbi," "Ciudad triste," "Los mareados," "Éxtasis," "Romance del Diablo," "Otoño porteño," and perhaps his most famous recording, "Milonga del ángel" by Astor Piazzolla.

In 1997, Agri recorded an album called "Kokoró Kará" with Jose Carli and a compilation of his own works titled "Antonio Agri: Tango Sinfónico". In the same year, he was invited to participate in the recording of "Soul of the Tango," an album by American cellist Yo-Yo Ma dedicated to the memory of Astor Piazzolla, who passed away in 1992. After the album's release, Agri joined Ma's concert tour in support of the album, but his health condition forced him to return to Buenos Aires. He also had the opportunity to participate in Carlos Saura's film "Tango." However, shortly after the premiere, Agri lost his battle with cancer and passed away on October 17, 1998, at the age of 66.

"Soul of the Tango" received the Grammy Award for Best Classical Crossover Album in 1999, and Antonio Agri was posthumously honored for his contribution.

Classical