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Oblivion: Tangos by Astor Piazzolla

A. McNamara | Amman, Jordan | 04/18/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"OK this is a pre-review! It's a rave about the title composition. I haven't heard this CD yet but last night I heard a live performance of Piazzolla's composition, "Oblivion," by a small Jordanian and international string ensemble here in Jordan. The featured violinist was a young Jordanian-Azerbaijani based in Germany. It is one of the most emotionally gripping pieces I have heard in a long time. In searching for a recording, I found a website for "The Oblivion Project" based in Ohio -- apparently it's a Midwest hive of tango musicians--who'd a thunk it? (I wish they recorded.)

The director of the group, Derek Snyder wrote that tango is "music with all the feelings you can find." That is a great description of "Oblivion." I told a friend that someone should make a film just to visualize the story told in this piece!

When I first searched Amazon for Piazzolla, none of the other CDs had this piece on it. So, I plan to buy the CD...it make take awhile for me to get it in Jordan but I am sure it will be a 5-star."

A Blissful Hour

Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 12/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First, you should know that there are more than the cuts comprising The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires on this CD. In fact there are eleven cuts in all, giving you nearly an hour of listening bliss. You should also know that the Okoun Ensemble is yet another group of mostly Eastern European musicians enthusiastic about the music of Astor Piazzolla.

When this first popped up in my amazon recommendations no doubt due to all the Piazzolla I buy and review, I had no idea what to expect. There is precious little product information and the first reviewer admits she hasn't even heard it yet. So, by the color scheme of the CD cover, and the name Okoun which sounds vaguely African, I thought I was going to hear an ooga-booga take on Piazzolla's music, a prospect that both appealed to and horrified me. Ultimately, I was relieved to discover that this was recorded by a Hungarian company.

You might wonder why a true Piazzolla fan would would not want his Piazzolla undiluted. Well, I love the music of Piazzolla so much that I enjoy hearing how others who love it just as much are able to interpret it. I've heard many good interpretations of most of these compositions over the years and very few really poor ones. Add the Okoun Ensemble to the list of interpreters that are both competent and delightful.

There is not a single cut I dislike on this album. It is quite perfect as background music while reading a good book or doing quiet work. Don't try to enjoy it when there are many noisy distractions. You'll miss out on its essence. I especially like the ensemble's take on the Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, Pulsaciones Numero 2, and the delicate approach to the timeless title cut.

The CD comes housed in a handsome tri-fold digipak. The CD is held in its slot by a slight overhang of a light material that makes you wonder why no one else has thought to package their CDs in that way. Such simplicity! Think of all the CDs you have bought where the plastic tines that are supposed to hold it in place are broken! An attractive booklet containing pictures and album information in English, German, and Hungarian is attached to the center of the trifold. Again simple but elegant.

If you are a fan of Astor Piazzolla, it should be obvious by now that I highly recommend this CD. You'll never tire of listening."