\Featuring Commissions from Hector del Curto and Adolphus Hailstork, Plus Works by Julia Smith, Jessie Montgomery, Astor Piazzolla, and Agustín Bardi on Azica Records
“Apollo recasts music for a diverse and multi-ethnic generation.” – Strings Magazine
Apollo Chamber Players have will released their seventh album, Trace of Time, a digital debut on Azica Records. This album features a unique blend of cultural narratives, reflecting on the passage of time and the way diverse traditions endure in our collective memory. The collection includes works by Héctor Del Curto, Julia Smith, Jessie Montgomery, Adolphus Hailstork, Astor Piazzolla, and Agustín Bardi. Three of these pieces were commissioned by Apollo with the explicit request that each composer weave aspects of their own heritage into the music, resulting in an album that traverses genres ranging from Argentine tango to African-American spirituals and West African rhythms.
Apollo Chamber Players, based in Houston, is a distinguished ensemble known for its vibrant interpretations and commitment to multicultural programming. The core group consists of violinists Matthew J. Detrick and Anabel Ramirez Detrick, violist Aria Cheregosha, and cellist Matthew Dudzik. For Trace of Time, they are joined by esteemed bandoneonist Héctor Del Curto and guest violists Melissa Reardon and Ashleigh Gordon.
This album continues Apollo’s mission to use music as a vehicle for storytelling, celebrating the rich diversity of cultural expressions and fostering connection across communities. The ensemble’s previous album, Moonstrike (2022), was lauded for its “inestimable, multi-cultured, rhythmic chamber sounds” (Take Effect), and Trace of Time builds on this foundation. The album is visually enhanced with digital artwork created by Houston-based artist Lynn Lane, featuring portraits of the composers and a cover image of a classic Argentine “farole” streetlamp—a poignant symbol of time, guiding light, and historical memory, including its use in the Underground Railroad as a symbol of freedom.
Matthew J. Detrick, founder and director of Apollo, notes: “Trace of Time is a journey of musical discovery and cultural connections. It builds upon what Apollo does best—celebrating the creativity of composers whose works reflect the dynamic and beautiful world we live in. We hope this album will contribute to fostering cultural harmony for generations to come.”
**Key Works on Trace of Time
Héctor Del Curto’s Trace of Time—the title track of the album—was commissioned by Apollo and reflects Del Curto’s deep Argentine roots. A GRAMMY® Award-winning bandoneonist, Del Curto blends tango, milonga, and waltz with the influences of his mentors, including Osvaldo Pugliese, Astor Piazzolla, and Pablo Ziegler. Written during the COVID-19 pandemic, the work captures the sense of time standing still and reflects on the shared, surreal experiences of that period. As Del Curto wrote in his composer’s note, the piece serves as a “trace to find myself in the future when recollecting this challenging time for human history.”
Also by Del Curto is Bien Curiosa (“Very Inquisitive”), a lively milonga-inspired piece dedicated to his son, Santiago Del Curto. The work is an adventurous exploration of the milonga rhythm, infused with dissonance and chromaticism, offering a fresh take on the traditional style.
Another Apollo commission, Deep River: Rhapsody for String Quartet by Adolphus Hailstork, draws from the spiritual Deep River and reflects on the journey of enslaved people who hoped for freedom by crossing the Ohio River. Hailstork’s arrangement is both poignant and energetic, conveying a sense of hope amidst the hardship, ultimately embracing the distant vision of freedom.
Julia Smith’s Quartet for Strings (1964) is a deeply evocative work reflecting the landscapes and character of Texas, the state of both Smith and the Apollo ensemble. Its three movements range from energetic to melancholic, capturing the vast emotional breadth of the Lone Star State. This album marks the first contemporary recording of this “lost” work.
Jessie Montgomery’s Voodoo Dolls is a rhythmic and expressive exploration of West African drumming patterns and chant motifs. Commissioned by the Jump! Dance Company of Rhode Island, this suite was choreographed to depict dolls from various cultures, including the titular voodoo dolls, Russian Matryoshka dolls, and others, each representing different facets of identity and tradition.
Astor Piazzolla’s Tango Ballet, an iconic work in the Nuevo Tango tradition, is a key highlight. Originally composed in 1956 as a film score, Piazzolla reworked it in 1964 into a piece for string quartet and orchestra. Its six continuous movements—slow-fast-slow—mirror the structure of Gershwin’s An American in Paris and offer a sophisticated meditation on the tango form.
Agustín Bardi’s Gallo Ciego (1927), a celebrated tango, is reimagined here through a new arrangement by Jisoo Ok. This work, once a staple of Osvaldo Pugliese’s orchestra, captures the drama and vitality of Argentine tango, and Apollo’s performance offers a fresh take on this classic.
About Apollo Chamber Players
Apollo Chamber Players, hailed for their “rhythmic flair and virtuosity” (The Strad), are dedicated to recasting music for a global, multi-ethnic audience through innovative programming and collaborations. The ensemble has performed on prestigious stages such as Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and in Cuba, and they are frequent guests on American Public Media’s Performance Today.
Apollo's commitment to contemporary music and diverse voices is reflected in their extensive commissioning project, which includes more than 50 works by leading composers such as Jennifer Higdon, John Corigliano, and Libby Larsen. Their 20x2020 initiative, which concluded with the commission of 20 multicultural works, includes pieces by composers like Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate and Tracy Silverman.
Apollo is also a passionate advocate for community engagement, working with schools, at-risk youth centers, and refugee organizations. Their Library Voyage project, a groundbreaking initiative to perform in every Harris County/Houston Public Library, is the first of its kind in the nation.
Hector del Curto
Héctor del Curto is a GRAMMY®-winning bandoneonist recognized as one of the leading figures in the tango world. Born into a musical family, he was awarded the title of “Best Bandoneon Player Under 25” in Argentina and later became a member of Osvaldo Pugliese’s and Astor Piazzolla’s orchestras.
Melissa Reardon
Melissa Reardon, a GRAMMY®-nominated violist, is known for her exceptional versatility across musical genres. She is a member of the Borromeo String Quartet and the artistic director of the Portland Chamber Music Festival.
Ashleigh Gordon
Ashleigh Gordon, a charismatic violist, has performed with renowned ensembles such as Germany's Ensemble Modern and the Chineke! Orchestra. She is co-founder and artistic director of Castle of our Skins, a Boston-based initiative that celebrates Black artistry through music.
With Trace of Time, Apollo Chamber Players continues to push the boundaries of classical and contemporary music, offering a rich tapestry of cultural reflections and musical innovation.
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