Clevelanders with a passion for modern Argentine tango are bringing audiences closer to a master. After years of performing throughout the Midwest as the Oblivion Project, the ensemble is releasing its first album Friday 鈥� an effort 20 years in the making.
Cleveland cellist Derek Snyder鈥檚 journey into a modern style of tango music began in 1990.
As a college student in Illinois, he attended a performance by Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich and heard something that changed the course of his musical career.
鈥淗e played a piece called 鈥楲e Grand Tango鈥� by a composer I鈥檇 never heard of,鈥� Snyder said. 鈥淚 just remembered his name sounded like 鈥榩izza,鈥� so I thought of this 鈥榩izza guy.鈥� But the piece was incredible.鈥�
That 鈥減izza guy鈥� was Astor Piazzolla, the Argentine composer who, in the 1950s, transformed traditional tango into nuevo tango 鈥� a dynamic fusion of tango, jazz and classical music that incorporated new instruments like saxophone and guitar into the classical genre.
Snyder dove into Piazzolla鈥檚 works with his college friend, violinist Gabe Bolkosky.
鈥淲e started doing annual Piazzolla bashes, full evenings of his music,鈥� Snyder said. 鈥淗e left over 3,000 pieces, so there鈥檚 always something new to explore.鈥�
By 2003, Snyder and Bolkosky formed the Oblivion Project, named for one of Piazzolla鈥檚 most famous works.
The fluid ensemble brings together musicians from across the Midwest to perform Piazzolla鈥檚 compositions using violin, cello, guitar, piano, bass and percussion.
鈥淥ne of the challenges of the ensemble is that we all live in different places,鈥� Snyder said. 鈥淲e have musicians in Michigan and four of us here in Cleveland.鈥�
Every March, the group comes together to tour the Midwest in celebration of Piazzolla鈥檚 birthday.
This year, the tour marks the release of the group鈥檚 first recorded album, 鈥淭ango Apasionado,鈥� which they will celebrate with a performance at the Cleveland Museum of Art on Friday at 7 p.m.
Honoring Piazzolla鈥檚 legacy
The Oblivion Project鈥檚 style closely mirrors that of Piazzolla鈥檚 original ensembles, balancing structured composition with improvisational energy.
鈥淚f you look at Piazzolla鈥檚 published music versus what you hear him play, it鈥檚 way different,鈥� Snyder said. 鈥淥ur music is based on the structure of chords and stays true to Piazzolla鈥檚 character, but beyond that, it鈥檚 open, different from show to show.鈥�
The ensemble鈥檚 lineup reflects Piazzolla鈥檚 approach.
鈥淭he group has always been a mix of musicians from different backgrounds, just like Piazzolla鈥檚,鈥� Snyder said. 鈥淲e have classically trained musicians and jazz musicians, and that diversity gives the group more depth.鈥�
The Oblivion Project鈥檚 players bring impressive credentials, with musicians having trained at institutions such as the Cleveland Institute of Music, the New England Conservatory, Oberlin Conservatory and the Cologne University of Music and Dance in Germany.
鈥淥ur music is based on the structure of chords and stays true to Piazzolla鈥檚 character, but beyond that, it鈥檚 open, different from show to show.鈥�Derek Snyder
The Oblivion Project is joined by acclaimed Argentine vocalist Malena Dayen for their performances this month.
Dayen is a specialist in Spanish-language music and tango and has performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Rochester Philharmonic. She's also an opera singer an assistant stage director at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.
She has played the title role in Piazzolla鈥檚 鈥淢ar铆a de Buenos Aires鈥� with Opera Naples and Opera Hisp谩nica.
鈥淔or me growing up in the '70s, '80s, I mean he was a superstar. And anybody who loved tango and music in general was a fan of what Piazzolla was doing. At least in my family and with our friends, anything he did, he was a total star,鈥� Dayen said.
In addition to their headline performance at the Cleveland Museum of Art, members of the ensemble have been hosting evening concerts in Akron libraries, culminating with a performance at Akron鈥檚 Main Library on Sunday.
鈥楢lways something new to explore鈥�
Piazzolla鈥檚 music remains deeply resonant with audiences around the world. Snyder attributes this to its emotional depth.
鈥淪omeone once said that Piazzolla鈥檚 music contains all the emotions that exist,鈥� Snyder said. 鈥淭he interplay of rhythmic layers, the poignant melodies, it all connects on a visceral level.鈥�
Beyond concert halls, the Oblivion Project is dedicated to bringing Piazzolla鈥檚 music to new generations.
The group regularly performs in schools and libraries and has a residency in Akron Schools through ORMACO, Ohio Regional Music Arts Cultural Outreach.
鈥淚 have an 11-year-old daughter who plays violin,鈥� Snyder said. 鈥淚 started programming Piazzolla鈥檚 pieces in youth orchestras, and it鈥檚 been amazing to see how quickly young musicians connect with his music. My daughter keeps asking, 鈥楥an we play another Piazzolla piece?鈥欌��
Piazzolla鈥檚 vast catalog allows them to return to familiar venues with fresh programs.
鈥淗is music is similar to Picasso or Beethoven 鈥� you can really hear the different periods in his music,鈥� Snyder said. 鈥淲hile his voice is very distinct, there's a wide range of character and stories in his music.鈥�
