A project long in the making, harpist Anna Maria Mendieta’s new album and video release, “Tango Del Cielo” (“Tango in Heaven”), is an inspired collection of Argentine tango and Spanish music for the harp that brings into focus the music of Astor Piazzolla as we approach the 100th anniversary of the revolutionary tango musician’s birth in March 2021.

Mendieta considers the harp a perfect vehicle for tango, and has spent almost two decades advocating for the form and collaborating with the most important and influential figures in the tango world. These efforts, brought to life through the lens of some of Piazzolla’s closest colleagues and artistic collaborators, come together in this new vision for tango and harp.

“It was in 2004 when I was first introduced to the music of Astor Piazzolla and thus the world of tango,” she said. “I was captivated, intrigued, and mesmerized. The music is not only fiery and passionate but intricately rhythmic. To faithfully express on the harp all that this music has to offer, was a challenge I was driven to undertake. I had to develop my own technique and create my own arrangements in order to make it work.”

Originally intended for harp and string quartet, special arrangements were created for Mendieta by an all-star list of composers and personal friends of Piazzolla including multi-Grammy Award winner Pablo Ziegler and multi-Grammy nominee Daniel Binelli. Other music and arrangements are by multi-Grammy nominee Jeremy Cohen of Quartet San Francisco, winner of the International Tango Competition and co-producer for the album.

“At the time, I was told by many that it could not be done,” she said. “I created my own arrangements, and I was invited to premiere these arrangements at the 2006 National Harp Conference.” However, the project was halted because of a serious car accident. In 2014 she picked up the idea again, this time re-imaginging it with full orchestra. Multi-Grammy Award winner and Oscar nominee Jorge Calandrelli joined onto the project, and recording sessions began in 2015 at Skywalker Sound. Due to her demanding concert schedule, recording continued slowly over the next five years.

Days before the statewide COVID shutdown in March 2020, Mendieta found her concerts suddenly canceled, so she headed into the studio to finish tracks. The album was completed just in time for the upcoming Grammy season, narrowly meeting the eligibility requirement which allow exactly five years from the date of the first recording session to the date of release to qualify. “It would not have qualified if we had waited any longer,” Mendieta said. “It was because of COVID that we were able to finish!”

“Tango Del Cielo” has been submitted for Grammy Award consideration in the Classical Instrumental Categories for engineering, arrangements, composition, performance, and artwork. The combination music recording and film project features music videos with footage filmed on location in Buenos Aires, Argentina and film foot- age from her international show Tango Del Cielo with an ensemble of award-winning musicians and dancers, as well as a documentary of the entire project. The album debuted at #2 on Billboard’s Classical Crossover charts.

“It has been a rewarding journey in every way,” Mendieta said. “My hope and prayer is that when you listen to the music, it will take you on an amazing journey as well.”

“Tango Del Cielo” is now available on all digital platforms and CD. It will soon also be released on high-quality pressed vinyl. For more information please visit tangodelcielo.com.