: Most of Piazzolla's original works, including "Oblivion," are still under copyright in Canada (where IMSLP is based) and many other jurisdictions. As a result, the full original score is typically not available for free public download on the site to avoid legal infringement. Submissions Policy
Astor Piazzolla's "Oblivion" is far more than a tango. It is a masterwork of modern composition that speaks directly to the soul. While musicians may begin their search for this piece with the keyword "piazzolla oblivion imslp" hoping for a free score, the true value lies in recognizing it as a living, protected work that deserves our respect and support.
Works published after 1978 are protected for the life of the author plus 70 years.
The piece is known for its intense nostalgia and melancholy, designed to evoke the "haunting ambience" of being forgotten or losing something valuable. Finding and Learning the Score
Due to these restrictions, you cannot legally download the definitive, original publisher scores of "Oblivion" directly from IMSLP's main servers without an explicit copyright clearance or a creative commons license uploaded by an authorized arranger. However, the IMSLP portal remains an excellent resource for:
A: You can purchase official scores from major sheet music retailers online, including Sheet Music Plus, Stretta Music, and Ficks Music.
(Invoking search-term suggestions...)
When searching for "Oblivion" sheet music, you will encounter different "arrangements" and "editions." The famous version for violin, cello, and piano is often listed as "arranged by José Bragato". Other popular arrangements include those for solo guitar (e.g., by Celil Refik Kaya) or for flexible soloist with string orchestra.
For instrumentalists, "Oblivion" requires more than just technical accuracy; it requires an understanding of tango nuevo .
Piazzolla's Oblivion! There are so many different arrangements and I
If you do obtain a legal copy of Oblivion , whether from IMSLP (in a rare legal region) or a publisher, remember:
Astor Piazzolla passed away in 1992. Under current international copyright law, a composer's work remains under copyright protection for the composer's entire life plus a significant number of years after their death (typically 70 years in most of the world). For example, the 1982 composition "Oblivion" is a relatively recent work from a modern copyright perspective.
Instead, what IMSLP offers for Oblivion falls into two categories: