Behind-the-Song “Oblivion” By Nicholas Martin
For me, ‘Oblivion’ is one of the most captivating and haunting tangos, originally composed for ensemble by the world-renowned Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla. This piece famously featured in the 1984 Italian film Enrico IV (Henry IV), directed by Marco Bellocchio.
As a classically trained tenor born in Gibraltar, with a natural Mediterranean timbre and a hauntingly dark voice, I have always sought to evoke my audience with what comes naturally to me: my roots and heritage. These were strongly instilled in me during my childhood by my grandparents and their generation. This connection to tradition and identity has allowed me to approach this inspirational musical genre with authenticity and passion.
‘Oblivion’ is rarely performed with voice, and when it is, few manage to maintain the musical legato line, creating the subtle stillness over the arpeggiated accompaniment as intended by the composer. For this reason, I felt compelled to take on the challenge. The piece sits predominantly in the passaggio of my voice, requiring subtle transitions between head voice and chest voice, all while maintaining full technical ease. I believe this is the only way a singer can truly honour this masterpiece and, above all, respect the composer’s intentions.
To learn more about Nicholas visit: nicholasmartinmusic.com
