I recently acquired – not totally by choice, I have to say – a CD of 25 – yes twenty five – versions of La Cumparsita! This is almost as priceless as the 200 versions of Adios Nonino on the Piazzolla.org website.
However iconic a piece of music, when you hear it too often it becomes devalued, and La Cumparsita, not my favourite Tango in the first place, just loses its sparkle. It’s a bit like the slow movement of the Rodrigo Concerto De Aranjuez or the Flower Duet from Delibes’ Lakme, as immortalised (?) in the Britsh Airways ads – lovely music that deserves a break.
This CD – aptly titled LA CUMPARSITA, EL HIMNO DEL RIO DE LA PLATA (The Anthem of the Rio de Plata) – spans versions from 1917 (the original Roberto Firpo) to 1967. It even includes a version by Piazzolla which, ironically, is typically unsuitable for dancing to. My favourites here have to be the Di Sarli and D’Arienzo versions from the 1950s. Even La Cumparsita cannot take away from their pure danceability. The CD doesn’t have my all-time favourite though – the Orquesta Tipica Brunswisk who make the intro last a whole 1minute 20 seconds before even they have to succumb to the inevitable familiar theme.
So, I can now add all of these to the dozen or so La Cumparsitas I have to confess I already own. Shall we have a whole Tanda of them at the next Milonga?
One of the recurring themes in all our Tango coaching is for people to be mindful of the position of their heads. In our experience, wherever the head goes, the body tends to follow. So, for example, if you want a “quiet” upper body, it’s important that your head isn’t moving around all over the place.
Some Tangueros we know recently attended the Homer & Chrisitina Ladas workshops in Oxford, and one of the things they were advised was . . . maintain a good head position.
So try it for yourself. And as well as paying attention to what it feels like, ask your partner how it feels too.
A number of people have been asking about the music we play. Tango music is a big, but highly specialised subject, and it’s all too easy to buy poor quality or unsuitable music.
For example, if you spot a flashy CD cover with”Tango’s Greatest Hits” or similar in a High Street store, you are unlikely to come away with the genuine article.
The best person we know of in the UK to buy Tango CDs from is Michael Lavocah. His website is www.milonga.co.uk
Our favourite website for reference and information on all aspects of Tango music is www.todotango.com
Happy hunting!