“… With the exception of Oblivion, which is arranged by Pablo Ziegler, all of the other orchestrations here and done, very skilfully, by Albonetti himself. Perhaps Piazolla’s most famous large-scale work, Las cuantro estaciones porteñas, or “The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires,” is programmed one season at a time with other music interspersed, which is unusual but effective. Excellent recorded sound and insightful program notes by Albonetti complete this fine disc.”
Henry Fogal – Fanfare – September/October 2021
‘This Chandos issue, featuring the saxophonist and lifelong Piazzolla fan, Marco Albonetti, is a highly recommendable introduction to Piazzolla’s art’ ****
David Mellor - Daily Mail (event magazine) - 13 March 2021
Record of the Week
“…Albonetti's intensive study of Piazzolla's music can be heard in every bar of this CD … Romance del Diablo by the saxophonist Marco Albonetti presents a successful transposition from bandoneon to saxophone.”
WDR (German Public Radio) 12 March 2021
“… there’s no question that Albonetti has a profound connection to Piazzolla’s music …”
Andrew Farach-Colton – Gramophone magazine – March 2021
Performance **** Recording ****
“… Albonetti’s scholarly understanding of the nuevo tango informs his latest orchestrations of Piazzolla’s music … A colourful rendition of Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas – also known as The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires – forms the cornerstone of the collection… The Four Seasons are interspersed with the wistful Romance del Diablo, Años do Soledad (featuring baritone saxophone), the famous Libertango and Oblivion (arranged by Piazolla’s former pianist composer Pablo Ziegler. The sentimentality of the latter is leavened with a haunting improvisatory prelude, accompanied by a repetitive single bass note. Altogether, a stand-out success among recent arrangements for saxophone…”
Claire Jackson – BBC Music magazine – March 2021
“…got so emotional listening to your recording!!! Very very beautiful. loved it. Very delicate and musical. Bravissimo!!! especially loved your free phrasing”.
Pablo Ziegler (Legendary pianist of Astor Piazzolla) (on Oblivion)
“It is a true pleasure to listen to the outstanding performance of these lovely pieces. The fantastic orchestrations for chamber orchestra make them come alive in a wholely new way. Certainly one of the best saxophone recordings ever made”.
Pekka Savijoki (Conductor and Saxophone Professor) - Sibelius Academy (Helsinki)
“Marco Albonetti’s latest album, “Romance del Diablo-The Music of Piazzolla” is the culmination of decades of devoted research. Albonetti studied Piazzolla’s original manuscripts, transcribed his recordings, and orchestrated them for saxophone and string orchestra. This project has been a labor of love for Albonetti, and it shows. The level of artistry and commitment yields dramatic results. His orchestrations are colorful and innovative, and his saxophone playing is passionate and captivating. The energy of the Nuevo Tango is alive and well in this creative rendition, and the full palette of human experience is embedded in this recording."
Carrie Koffman (Associate Professor of Saxophone) - The Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford; Lecturer of Saxophone -The Yale School of Music (USA)
"I really love the sound concept that you have chosen: it is a very personal mix of different elements. It doesn't fit in a box of jazz or classical. Crossover is not even covering it: it is 'Marco'. Well done! I also love the arrangements: very creative. Piazzolla (who was an inventor) would have loved it!”
Arno Bornkamp (concert artist/professor of saxophone) - Conservatorium van Amsterdam
“Marco is one of the most interesting Italian saxophonists around. His musical and artistic quality as well as his ideas are highly personal and original. When I heard the first edit of the album I was astounded by the emotions the music poured over me. This album is just what everyone needs in what is perhaps the most difficult period in these Corona times.”
Ties Mellema (Concert artist/professor of saxophone) - Tilburg University (The Netherland)
“The music of Astor Piazzolla has been recorded by various renowned artists and is being enjoyed by music connoisseurs and enthusiasts from all over the world. This new recording of Piazzolla’s music by Marco Albonetti is not just another CD of his music. It is a special recording not only because it truly captivates nuevo tango and the spirit of the maestro, but also because it provides a spectacular interpretive version with the soprano saxophone as the main instrument, supported by brilliant orchestrations performed wonderfully by the members of the string orchestra. It is apparent that Albonetti, who is also responsible for the orchestrations, devoted many years in studying and analyzing Piazzolla’s music. The end result is full of passion and energy.”
Yiannis Miralis (Associate Professor of Music Education and Saxophone) - European University Cyprus.
“… sounds great! Great sax playing, what a great sounding orchestra and production! Also nice arrangements ... Congrats!”
Russ Peterson (Concert soloist/Professor of Saxophone) - Concordia College (USA)
“Thank you for your recording. My compliments! Great arrangements! Very emotional playing! Just good Music!”
Koryun Asatryan (Saxophone Professor) - Hochschule für Musik und Theater München (Germany
“… tremendous performance, unbelievable musicianship, Marco Albonetti is no doubt the best ambassador of Astor Piazzolla’s music”
Chih Huan Wu (Conductor/Assistant Professor of Saxophone) - National Taiwan University of Arts
My Wish List
