Apollo Chamber Players: Matthew J. Detrick & Anabel Ramirez Detrick, violins; Aria Cheregosha, viola; Matthew Dudzik, violoncello; with Héctor Del Curto, bandoneon; Melissa Reardon, viola; Ashleigh Gordon, viola.
Héctor del CURTO: Trace Of Time (2021)
Julia SMITH: Quartet for Strings (1964)
Jessie MONTGOMERY: Voodoo Dolls (2008)
Adolphus HAILSTORK: Deep River: Rhapsody for Strong Quartet (2021)
Astor PIAZZOLLA: Tango Ballet (1956)
Héctor del CURTO: Bien curiosa (2022)
Augustin BARDI (arr. Víctor Lavallén/Jisoo Ok): Gallo ciego (2020)
Azica Records ACD-71372
Formats: CD, digital
Release Date: August 23, 2024
Total Duration: 58:04
Giorgio Koukl | 16 DEC 2024
Apollo Chamber Players have released a new recording based primarily on tango and its evolution. The four musicians — Matthew J. Detrick and Anabel Ramirez Detrick, violins, Aria Cheregosha, viola, and Matthew Dudzik, violoncello — are occasionally joined by guests, such as bandoneon performer Héctor Del Curto and guest violists Melissa Reardon and Ashleigh Gordon. This album, entitled Trace of Time, is released on Azica Records.
ACD-71372 cover art (click to enlarge)
On nine tracks, the ensemble explores music scores of eight composers ranging from Astor Piazzolla to lesser-known names, some written specifically for this occasion.
The tango, an iconic music and dance style, originated in the late 19th century in the Rio de la Plata region, primarily in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay. It emerged from a cultural melting pot of European immigrants, African influence, and the local criollo population, combining elements from various genres such as milonga, habanera, and candombe.
Tango began in working-class neighborhoods. It was initially viewed as a lower-class cultural expression characterized by its passionate and improvisational dance style. By the 1910s, tango gained international fame, particularly in Paris, leading to its acceptance among the upper classes. The music evolved to feature bandoneón (a type of accordion brought by German immigrants), which became the hallmark of tango orchestras. It reached its peak of popularity with orchestras led by renowned musicians and composers. The music diversified, with styles ranging from dramatic and slow to fast-paced and rhythmic. Tango faced competition from other music genres but experienced a revival in the 1980s with a focus on its traditional and modernized forms. Today, tango remains a symbol of Argentine identity and cultural pride, celebrated worldwide.
Let us only cite two names: Carlos Gardel (1890–1935), known as the “King of Tango,” was a legendary singer, composer, and actor. Famous for songs like “El día que me quieras” and “Por una cabeza” (widely recognized from films such as Scent of a Woman and Schindler’s List). Astor Piazzolla (1921–1992) revolutionized tango with nuevo tango, blending traditional tango with elements of jazz and classical music. Iconic works include “Libertango” and “Adiós Nonino.”
The disc starts with a work by Héctor del Curto: Trace of Time (2021). Written in pandemic times, it is a powerful and well-chosen beginning. Without ever entirely abandoning the typical tango style, it nonetheless experiments with quite arduous harmonies. It is the magical presence of the bandoneon that elevates this track on an altogether different level from the rest of the disc.
Julia Smith and Jessie Montgomery are putting their signatures on tracks 2-4 and 5, respectively, with their works Quartet for Strings (1964) and Voodoo Dolls (2008). Both tend to stay well within already established musical conventions, never risking much, so the result is not terribly exciting. Jessie Montgomery’s music at least has a nice rhythmical drive and is exceptionally well played by the musicians.
This tonal tendency is also partly present in the work of Adolphus Hailstork called Deep River, based on the well-known spiritual.
Track seven is finally an original work by Astor Piazzolla called Tango Ballet. Written in 1956 as a film score, it was originally intended for a group of eight musicians but soon appeared in many arrangements, one of those for a string quartet. The expressive force of this score is magnificently translated by the Apollo Chamber Players, with flawless control of dynamics and perfect control of the bowing. It is undoubtedly the best piece of this album, especially compared to certain past string orchestra recordings. The musicians give their best in energy and concentration.
Héctor del Curto returns on track eight with a shorter piece called Bien curiosa (2022). Here again, the magical presence of bandoneon immediately transforms the music into something fresh, not necessarily original, but fully pleasant and with a certain nearly French elegance.
The disc ends with a piece of Augustin Bardi arranged by Victor Lavallèn and Jisoo Ok called Gallo ciego, a nearly iconic piece of the history of tango.
This music again possesses all the qualities a tango piece should have: witty, provocatory, ironic, and, at moments, sweet — a real tour de force for Mr. del Curto with his bandoneon.
This project is certainly well worth listening to, having all that one would wish to have as a crossover between tango and 21st-century music. ■
EXTERNAL LINKS:
- Vedrana Subotic: vedranasubotic.com
Read more by Giorgio Koukl.
