wowhd.co.uk

Memorias is clair-obscur's birthday present for Astor Piazzolla, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday in 2021. This album provides the listener with comprehensive insights into Piazzolla's musical environment. A novel, unexpected musical context allows us to hear Piazzolla's music in a different way, with a fresh approach. It is obvious why the four musicians from Berlin are called "clair-obscur". Clair-obscur, a painting technique from the Renaissance, in which opposing light and dark tones are used to symbolize heavenly and earthly elements, is the visual equivalent of the sounds the quartet draw from their instruments: on the one hand, warm, intense and clear, and on the other harsh, aggressive and robust. These two poles can also be found in the composition of the quartet: two female and 2 male musicians in one ensemble create a unique musical energy.