Artemis Quartet - The Piazzolla Project (2009)

The influences on the compositional style of Astor Piazzolla were extensive, including such musical luminaries as J.S. Bach, fellow countryman Alberto Ginastera, and famed Parisian pedagogue Nadia Boulanger. It was Boulanger, however, who pushed Piazzolla to embrace the tango, a musical art form that was not always completely accepted in Europe. If only Piazzolla knew of the tremendous renewed interest in the tango that has been occurring for the last decade or so, he may not have composed anything but tangos. This disc by the Artemis Quartet and pianist Jacques Ammon, entitled The Piazzolla Project, does not solely focus on tangos, but does accentuate the many influences that Piazzolla had in his life. Equally at home with the standard quartet repertoire, the Artemis Quartet simply explodes out of your speakers on this disc, and anyone capable of sitting while listening (unless, of course, you happen to be driving) should probably check for a pulse. Most impressive are the stunning variety of colors and tonal qualities the strings are able to pull from their instruments. Their playing is not only technically brilliant, but fiery, sassy, sexy, and riveting. Add to that the equally nuanced and excitingly flamboyant playing of Ammon, and what you get is an absolutely must-have addition to anyone even the slightest bit interested in Piazzolla's music.