The tango compositions, impressionistic extensions of the art, by
Astor Piazzolla (Argentina) and Thomas Fortmann (Switzerland) are mixed here to wondrous effect. Actually, two of
Fortmann's compositions bookend seven pieces from Piazzolla. The first piece is the 18 and one-half minute title track by
Fortmann. Strings, sad and plaintive, are supported by cello in this piece for a string quartet. The quartet here is the Tirana String Quartet. The coda is a bit of Weimar, Germany, sung
auf Deutsche by
Bruno Ferrari. The first piece from Piazzolla is "Libertango," wherein a running piano rhythm is the foundation for an enlarging, freeing melody for the two saxophones. The Academia Amiata Ensemble, comprised of three award-winning instrumental soloists on piano and two saxes, performs these Piazzolla pieces. Toward the end, the piano breaks form into the liberty of a succinctly stated but sweetly composed melody. A somber contrast is provided by the following wind instrument reflection, "Oblivion." Piazzolla's "Adios Nonino" is so lyrical and mellifluous as to be one of those rare instrumental pieces that summons a humming audience with the strength of an infectious song. "Close Your Eyes and Listen" is another Piazzolla piece that is so compelling and emotionally powerful as to need not a single syllable to express the most tender and sincere of human feeling. Soprano saxophone leaps are featured in the final,
Fortmann piece as
Steve Potts joins the
Ensemble in the Stravinsky-like, 12-tone "Catholic Blues." Notes to this recording are in Italian, English, and German. ~ Tom Schulte, All Music Guide
