Tutorial and tab of Oblivion as performed by Roland Dyens at the Guitar Salon International showroom in Santa Monica (CA) on June 27, 2015. Dropped C tuning (CGDGBE).
About “Oblivion”
“Oblivion” is one of the most celebrated and beloved pieces by Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla, a pivotal figure in “Nuevo Tango.” It’s a work steeped in melancholy, lyricism, and a profound sense of nostalgia, qualities that make it immediately recognizable and deeply moving.
A Brief History of the Song
“Oblivion” was composed by Astor Piazzolla in 1984 as part of the soundtrack for the Italian film “Enrico IV” (or “Henry IV”) directed by Marco Bellocchio. Despite its cinematic origin, the piece quickly gained a life of its own, becoming one of Piazzolla’s most frequently performed and recorded compositions. Its poignant nature and haunting melody have cemented its status as a classical instrumental piece, transcending the film context for which it was originally conceived. Many critics consider it one of the most beautiful and significant works by the Argentine master.
The piece unfolds over a rigorous rhythm that, nevertheless, allows ample space for the development of a deeply lyrical and meditative melody. It’s a perfect example of Piazzolla’s “Nuevo Tango,” which blends the roots of traditional tango with elements of classical music, jazz, and contemporary music, creating a unique and innovative musical language. “Oblivion” fully embodies Piazzolla’s ability to express complex and profound feelings through music, evoking a sense of oblivion, memory, and intense beauty.
“Oblivion” by Astor Piazzolla
A special mention goes to the vocal version of the piece, often titled “J’oublie” in French. Among the most famous, the interpretation by Milva, the “Pantera di Goro” (Panther of Goro), stands out. With her deep and dramatic voice, she masterfully captured the melancholic and sensual essence of “Oblivion,” making it a cornerstone of her Piazzolla repertoire.
“Oblivion” by Milva & Astor Piazzolla
Interpretations by Various Artists
“Oblivion” has been interpreted by a wide variety of artists and instrumental ensembles, demonstrating its versatility and universal appeal. Among the most notable interpretations are:
- Gidon Kremer: The renowned Latvian violinist has performed “Oblivion” on several occasions and recordings, often with his ensemble “Kremerata Baltica,” highlighting its melancholic and lyrical vein.
- Yo-Yo Ma: The world-famous cellist has offered his interpretation of the piece, often in chamber music or orchestral settings, emphasizing the instrument’s profound expressiveness.
- Salvatore Accardo: The great Italian violinist has recorded his version of “Oblivion,” often accompanied by the Orchestra da Camera Italiana, helping to popularize the piece in the classical music world.
- Hauser: The Croatian cellist, also known for the duo 2Cellos, has delivered highly acclaimed and deeply emotional interpretations, often with symphony orchestras, bringing the piece to a wider audience.
- Willi Burger: The virtuoso Swiss harmonica player has shown the versatility of the piece with his interpretation on the chromatic harmonica, often accompanied by piano or an orchestra.
- Richard Galliano: The virtuoso French accordionist is one of the most faithful and passionate interpreters of Piazzolla’s work, and his version of “Oblivion” is among the most cherished.
- Gary Burton: The jazz vibraphonist collaborated with Piazzolla himself and recorded “Oblivion,” demonstrating how the piece also lends itself to jazz sonorities.
- Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi: An Italian bandoneon player, he is a highly regarded interpreter of Piazzolla’s work, and his performance of “Oblivion” is much appreciated.
“Oblivion” by Hauser
“Oblivion” by Salvatore Accardo
“Oblivion” by Willi Burger
Solo Guitar Interpretations
Given its singing melody and harmonic structure, “Oblivion” also lends itself beautifully to transcriptions and interpretations for solo guitar. Although the original is often associated with the bandoneon or larger ensembles, the guitar offers an intimate and poignant dimension to the piece. Below are some of the artists who have performed solo guitar interpretations:
- Al Di Meola: Although best known for his performances with various ensembles, Al Di Meola has included “Oblivion” in his repertoire, often exploring its nuances with his acoustic guitar, even if not exclusively in pure solo versions.
- Nadja Kossinskaja: The Russian guitarist has created a highly acclaimed solo guitar version of “Oblivion,” which highlights its lyricism and delicacy.
- José Fernandez Bardesio: The Uruguayan guitarist has offered his solo guitar interpretation of “Oblivion,” demonstrating his mastery in capturing the soul of the piece.
- Brendan Lake: The American guitarist and arranger has created and performed his own transcription of “Oblivion” for solo guitar, making it available for other musicians.
- Victor Villadangos: The Argentine guitarist, a deep connoisseur of Piazzolla’s work, has included “Oblivion” in his solo guitar repertoire, offering authentic and heartfelt interpretations.
- Roland Dyens: The late French guitarist and composer created one of the most fascinating and virtuosic transcriptions of “Oblivion” for solo guitar.
“Oblivion” by Al Di Meola
“Oblivion” by Nadja Kossinskaja
“Oblivion” by José Fernandez Bardesio
“Oblivion” by Brendan Lake
“Oblivion” by Victor Villadangos
“Oblivion” by Alberto Morelli
Roland Dyens’ Arrangement of “Oblivion”
Dyens enriches Piazzolla’s original harmony with complex chords, extensions, and unusual voicings, creating a dense and evocative sound. He frequently uses chords with added tensions (7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, alterations) that lend a more jazzy and sophisticated feel to the piece, while preserving its inherent melancholy.
About Roland Dyens
Roland Dyens (1955-2016) was a French guitarist, composer, and arranger, widely regarded as one of the most significant classical guitarists of his era. Born in Tunis, he began studying guitar at the age of nine, later refining his skills with the renowned Spanish guitarist Alberto Ponce. He also served as a professor at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris. Dyens was celebrated for his extraordinary improvisational abilities, a characteristic that often infused his compositions, which were said to frequently originate as improvisations later transcribed. In 2015, the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) honored him with the prestigious “Artistic Achievement Award” for his monumental contributions to the development of classical guitar art and life.
Roland Dyens Interview and performances (2000)
Selected Discography:
- 1987: Villa-Lobos: Concerto/Suite Populaire Bresilienne/Choros, No. 1/Dyens: Hommage a Villa-Lobos
- 1995: Chansons Françaises 1 (also known as Paris Guitare)
- 1997: Paris Guitare
- 1999: Nuages: Solo Guitar Works
- 2001: Roland Dyens: Citrons doux
- 2001: 20 Lettres Pour Guitare Solo
- 2003: Night and Day
- 2007: Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez; Dyens: Concerto métis
- 2007: Sor & Giuliani
- 2009: Naquele Tempo
- 2015: Night and Day/Visite au Jazz
Most Noted Original Compositions:
- Tango en Skaï (1985): One of his most famous pieces, often performed in versions for guitar and string quartet. “Skaï” is a French slang term for artificial leather, referring to the “gauchos” (cowboys) of Argentina and Southern Brazil, known for their leather attire.
- Libra Sonatine (1986): Divided into three movements (“India”, “Largo”, and “Fuoco”), this sonatina was composed by Dyens after experiencing a heart attack and explicitly reflects that period of his life.
- Valse en Skaï: Dedicated to guitarist Aniello Desiderio, it’s another of his highly regarded original works.
- Trois Pièces Polyglottes: These compositions explore different musical “languages,” reflecting his versatility. They include “Sols d’Ièze,” “Valse des Loges” (Green Room Waltz), and “Perruques Volantes” (Flying Wigs).
- Hommage à Villa-Lobos
- Concertomaggio: An homage to Ravel, Sor, and Piazzolla, for two guitars and string orchestra.
- Concerto Métis: For solo guitar and string orchestra.
- 20 Lettres pour guitare solo: Pieces suitable for various levels of guitar proficiency.
- Songe Capricorne: A composition that explores descriptive elements beyond earthly boundaries.
- Triaela
- Trois Saudades (with “Saudade No. 3” dedicated to Francis Kleynjans and divided into “Ritual,” “Danza,” and “Final”).
- Lettre encore
- Ville d’Avril: For four guitars.
Most Noted Arrangements:
Dyens created numerous arrangements spanning classical music to jazz and popular tunes. Among the most celebrated are:
- Chansons Françaises: Several volumes of arrangements of popular French songs, such as “Revoir Paris,” “Syracuse,” and “La Bicyclette.”
- Aria (from H. Villa-Lobos – Bachianas Brasileiras nº5): Originally for guitar quintet, but also arranged for solo guitar.
- Arrangements à l’amiable: Includes arrangements of pieces like “Round Midnight” (Thelonious Monk), “Nuages” (Django Reinhardt), works by Chopin and Erik Satie, “El Choclo” (Villoldo), and “Felicidade” (De Moraes/Jobim).
- Over the Rainbow: Arrangement of Harold Arlen’s famous piece.
- “7 Études de Sor”: Arrangements for guitar and string quartet.
- Due famose melodie popolari per mandolino e chitarra: Include “Alfonsina y el mar” and “O sole mio.”
- The Bolero of Ravel: Arranged for guitar ensemble.
Work on Astor Piazzolla’s Arrangements:
Roland Dyens’s work on arranging the compositions of Astor Piazzolla is of paramount importance and deserves special recognition.
Dyens was a master at taking works by other composers and infusing them with his unique sensibility, combining technical virtuosity with a profound musical understanding. This ability is exceptionally evident in his arrangements of Astor Piazzolla’s works, the genius of “Tango Nuevo.”
Dyens skillfully translated the complexity and emotional intensity of Piazzolla’s music for the guitar, often retaining the harmonic and contrapuntal richness of the originals, while adapting them idiomatically to the instrument. His arrangements have become a benchmark for classical guitarists worldwide, offering new and stimulating interpretations of Piazzolla’s masterpieces.
One of his most notable contributions in this field is the album and sheet music collection titled:
- “The Last Tango” (Musics of Astor Piazzolla arranged for guitar by Roland Dyens): This collection features some of Piazzolla’s most iconic pieces, including:
- Adiós Nonino
- Chau Paris
- Chiquilín de Bachín
- Libertango
- Oblivion
- Milonga del Ángel
- Primavera Porteña
- Verano Porteño
- Otoño Porteño
- Invierno Porteño
These arrangements are admired for their faithfulness to Piazzolla’s original spirit, while also being enriched by Dyens’s unmistakable jazz harmonies and improvisational flair. They are technically demanding yet incredibly rewarding for both the performer and the listener, and they have significantly contributed to making Piazzolla’s music even more accessible and popular in the classical guitar world. Their publication was considered a “parting gift” from the late master of arrangement.
About Astor Piazzolla
Astor Pantaleón Piazzolla (Mar del Plata, March 11, 1921 – Buenos Aires, July 4, 1992) was an Argentine musician, composer, and arranger, universally recognized as the most important exponent of “Nuevo Tango” (New Tango). With his bandoneón and innovative vision, Piazzolla revolutionized traditional tango, infusing it with elements of classical music (through extensive studies with Alberto Ginastera and Nadia Boulanger) and jazz, creating a unique and deeply expressive genre.
His music, initially met with some resistance in his home country for breaking with tradition, later conquered the world, bringing tango to concert stages and making it accessible to a global audience. Piazzolla was a virtuoso bandoneón player and a prolific composer, capable of expressing a wide range of emotions, from the melancholic to the passionate, from the joyful to the tormented. His works have been performed by major orchestras, classical musicians, and renowned jazz artists, a testament to his lasting influence.
Astor Piazzolla – BBC Interview (1989)
Selected Discography of Astor Piazzolla
Piazzolla’s discography is vast, with over sixty albums released. Here are some of the most significant:
- El Tango (1965)
- Adios Nonino (1969)
- Libertango (1974)
- Summit (Reunion Cumbre) (with Gerry Mulligan, 1974)
- The New Tango (with Gary Burton, 1986)
- Tango: Zero Hour (1986)
- The Rough Dancer and the Cyclical Night (Tango Apasionado) (1988)
- La Camorra: The Solitude Of Passionate Provocation (1989)
- Five Tango Sensations (with the Kronos Quartet, 1991)
- Concierto para quinteto
- The Central Park Concert
Most Famous Works
Among his most celebrated and beloved compositions are:
- Adiós Nonino: A deeply moving tribute to his father, this is one of his most iconic and emotionally charged pieces.
- Libertango: Perhaps his most recognizable piece, an anthem to musical freedom and the fusion of styles.
- Oblivion: A piece of poignant and melancholic beauty, often used in film scores.
- Violentango: Characterized by vibrant, almost frenetic energy.
- Milonga del Ángel (part of the “Suite del Ángel”): An example of his ability to create delicate and dreamy atmospheres.
- Balada para un loco: A tango with lyrics, which helped define his innovative style.
- María de Buenos Aires: A tango operetta showcasing his dramatic and narrative vision.
- Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires): A tango reinterpretation of the seasons, with allusions to Vivaldi’s work.
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