The Music of the Night

Querido tangueros (forgive my appalling lack of Spanish grammar):

Last night something exquisite and beautiful happened in my lesson that I wanted to share with all of you and open up a discussion about. It actually started Sunday when I went to see The Phantom of the Opera with my kids. It had literally been years since I had heard any of the music from that score, and sitting in the theater I was overcome, once again, with the lush, romantic, sensuality of the music. I especially was taken by The Music of the Night number, and immediately felt that it would be exquisite to dance tango to.

I mentioned this to my teacher the next day, and he immediately began rhapsodyzing about Sarah Brightman -- he'd apparently seen the original stage version with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman when it was here in LA. I said I was going to borrow my daughter's soundtrack and bring it to my next lesson.

Last night, Felix had his own surprise for me -- a record album by Sarah Brightman containing not only several numbers from Phantom, but numbers from several other Andrew Lloyd Webber shows as well -- Evita, Cats, etc. I started the CD and we began to dance tango.

Almost immediately, the sensuality of her voice, Michael Crawford's voice, the rich music, the tender lyrics, the passionate beauty of the tango movements overwhelmed me. My eyes burned, my throat tightened, and my heart felt as if Sarah were tearing it in pieces with every note. Once again, I felt that terror as I balanced on the edge of the precipice of tango madness.

Finally, I couldn't take it any more. I had to go sit down and cry for about 5 minutes. I couldn't even explain to my teacher words what was going on. The unparalleled beauty of the music, the singing, the words, the dancing, it was too much for me. Finally I was able to explain it. All he said was, "Then use that emotion in your dancing. I am." When I said I was afraid I was going to come apart, he just said, "Then let it happen."

I went on with my lesson, and I have never danced like that in my life. It was sublime. I told Felix I want to use that CD for my lessons for the next few weeks until I can dance to it without crying. Then, I think, I will have learned what I needed to learn from it, and I can go back to my beloved Piazzolla.

My apologies for the long-winded introduction, but I wanted to share that breathtaking experience with you. The topic is this -- what music is especially inspirational to you in your dancing? For me, I do my best dancing to Piazzolla, Middle Eastern tango, the Beatles, and now Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Renee

I like Sarah Brightman too. Heard Enya? I love her Paint the sky - best of...CD.

Yes. I love Enya, though since I don't have a radio in my car and can't really listen at work, she's kind of slipped from my consciousness. I loved that "otherworldly" sound she brought to some of the Lord of the Ring soundtracks. I'd have to listen again to some of her recordings to see if the rhythm would fit the tango. It would probably wind up being a very delicate, lyrical, soft, free-form tango, similar to Oblivion.

There's a video, Tango Magic, I think, hosted by Hector Elizondo (???) I think, which featured Guillermina Querida (I'm not 100% sure of her last name -- around here, she is known simply as "Guillermina," like "Cher" and "Garbo") dancing Oblivion in a very free-form, modern style. I think a number danced to one of Enya's song would be like that.

Renee

ReneeJoan said:

Almost immediately, the sensuality of her voice, Michael Crawford's voice, the rich music, the tender lyrics, the passionate beauty of the tango movements overwhelmed me. My eyes burned, my throat tightened, and my heart felt as if Sarah were tearing it in pieces with every note. Once again, I felt that terror as I balanced on the edge of the precipice of tango madness.

Finally, I couldn't take it any more. I had to go sit down and cry for about 5 minutes. I couldn't even explain to my teacher words what was going on. The unparalleled beauty of the music, the singing, the words, the dancing, it was too much for me. Finally I was able to explain it. All he said was, "Then use that emotion in your dancing. I am." When I said I was afraid I was going to come apart, he just said, "Then let it happen."

Click to expand...

:cry: :cry: 8)

Oh! What an incredible experience that must have been. 8)

You know, I have been moved to very deep emotion by music, back when I played actively, and by dance. But never with another person present. How do you do it? I mean, tap into the real you when you're dancing? I get close, but, up to this point, I've always felt a slight distance, if that makes sense ... :?

Dear Pygmalion:

Yes, I know exactly what you're talking about. This is that "surrender to Dionysus" that I've been talking about. And it is a surrender, as deep and complete (if I may be direct) and emotionally and psychologically risky as the moment of surrender when you open your body and heart, mind and sould to give your body to a man in sexual union. It's that profound and that terrifying and that exalting.

What exactly is that surrender? It's a surrender of the self, your sense of personal identity, of letting go of the ego, of losing your sense of individuality and unifying and identifying yourself to and with the Music and the Dance itself. The ancient pagans would have called this "invoking the god", or calling the god into oneself to where the god completely takes over your mind, body, soul, and spirit, integrating with you becoming you, you becoming the god, and you become the living incarnation or manifestation of the god. Substitute "music" or "dance" for the word god (I like to personify the abstract concept of dance with the metaphor of Dionysus) and you have a good idea of the process. Psychologically, this process would be familiar to a Jungian or Freudian in the concept of surrendering the ego. And the ego doesn't exactly like to be surrendered. Quieting that sense of fear with wine helps some people cross that threshhold (not for nothing is Dionysus also called the god of wine).

Another way of thinking of it is to open your awareness until it includes your whole body, not just your feet. Then open your awareness a little more until you completely aware of your partner's whole body as well as your own, then open your awareness some more until you are aware of your partner's body and yours moving together as a unified whole. Now open your awareness even more and become aware, sense, almost see, the other dancers around you, behind you. Open your awareness some more and feel them dancing in unison with you to the same music. Open your awareness some more, and feel the music, like you're swimming in it. Feel the music, like a tangible thing, cascading over you, like water, or warm oil, like it's a physical presence, that you're dancing IN the music, rather than "to" or "with" the music. Now open your awareness some more until you are aware of the entire room, like you could reach out and touch every wall without letting go of your partner. Finally, open your awareness even more and touch the stars. Feel the music as if it's the Pythagorian "music of the spheres." Touch the planets, embrace the whole of the creation. Feel every emotion of your body, hold back nothing. Allow the tenderness for your partner, the romance, the sexual feelings, to wash over you. Let go, release, and surrender to every feeling.

If you're very, very lucky, and every thing is coming together, and you can forget the steps, and you can achieve that harmony with your partner, the music, the other dancers, the room, your feelings, the universe, the magic may happen.

I've only had this happen a few times. It won't always happen, even with the same person. But that opening and surrendering is something that can be practiced and learned (kind of like Buddhist meditation). And when it descends on you, you will touch the divine.

Inscribed over the entry way of Jung's garden in Switzerland is a quote taken from the temple of Apollo -- "invoked or not invoked, the god is present." Dionysus is always there when you are dancing. All you need to do is let go of everything and surrender to Him.

To find what you speak of I have this more restful style of dancing that helps people surrender, be open and connect. Still got to get there in AT though.

ReneeJoan - et al - i just had to post to say i am overwhelmed by emotion just reading your first post; have not even been able to fully read your second.

At my first tango lessons, i spent so much time stuggling to contain my threatenly over-whelming emotions, that i found myself staring fixedly out a window saying to myself "damn the electric fence" {for those of you who have read the far-side card} i just found the whole thing far, far too much for me. The instructor is very intense and although he picked up that i was feeling "nervous" still invited me to "just fall onto me". not likely i said! too much closeness, too much intimacy, just too much altogether. i quit those classes and went for coffee instead - much safer.

But the lure of tango remained. i now attend classes, again with my partner. we do private classes with a couple who are both instructors. i feel much safer. i have been known to cry :cry: - i do not have to contain my emotion. i am told it is ok. it feels ok. it is that point of oneness.... just recently i was able to accept a dance (or 2) at a milonga with my instructor. it felt safe, but exciting. the next day i felt like i had done something illicit. i can't wait for more - we are dancing the new year in.

salsa is just not like this.... :wink:

Oh, yes. Salsa is!! I've had amazing dances with people breaking away from the convention of stepping on just the basic etc etc. Earth shattering, emotionally wrenching. To be open is to make oneself available to this in salsa, merengue, cha cha cha, bachata, and even Argentine tango.

By the way, welcome to df angelbaby.

Dear Angelbaby:

Yes, welcome to the dance forums. I just joined last week, and already I've made a bunch of really nice friends. It's nice to be able to share this intense passion with people who UNDERSTAND!!

I understand perfectly that illicit feeling. Tango argentino is an incredibly tender, seductive, jealous, demanding, fulfilling lover. Accept that energy -- the harder you resist it, the worse it gets. Let it flow over you, through you and away from you. In the process, it cleanses you. All the crud and sludge in your heart and soul will just be washed away.

Keep in mind that while tango is very sexy, sensual, and intimate, and releases and enormous amount of sexual energy, it is NOT SEX. It is an artistic metaphor for sex, like jazz. The word "jazz" in the early part of the twentieth century, was a slang term among musicians for sex. Later, it started to be applied to a certain new style of music that was emerging in the nightclubs. The vital and living energy driving jazz is sexual in its essense -- once, after going to a live jazz concert, I was as emotionally (not physically, emotionally) exhausted, spent, and drained as if I'd spent the previous five hours having multiple orgasm after multiple orgasm. The music was that intense. And those musicians WOULD NOT QUIT!! They just kept going and going and going . . . .

For me, the dance floor is sacred space, the way the theatre is for actors. Nothing bad can happen there. You are totally free to be as playful, expressive, naughty, and emotionally intimate as you want, and nothing bad will ever happen. You are totally safe, and every movement is sacred, a prayer. You can say whatever you want on the the dance floor.

However, it's a good idea to make it a policy to keep whatever happens on the dance floor. You try to take it off the dance floor, out of that protective, sacred space, and that's when the trouble usually starts. Remember, it's only tango. You can fall in love with a table leg dancing tango.

Renee

Hi all

Yes actually - must admit i have experienced a certain "something" late at night with my partner dancing salsa or rhumba. for me this is not the same as the amazingly overwhelming feelings i have at times during AT. guess i will just have to wait re more of the same at other latin dances. actually we dance AT in a very different atmosphere to where we usually dance salsa etc. and thinking about it, i have had my best salsa & meringue connections at the same place we dance AT (they put on mixed latin music in between tangos).

love your writing reneejoan - we are tangoing in the new year tonight - after reading your latest post i am sooo ready :wink: def have got the differences sorted re sex/sensual and acting out etc. no fantasies yet re dance partners other than my own :evil:

i am so pleased to read this stuff. have tried to talk bout it with others lol work colleagues (i work in mental health) just advise me to give it all up if it causes so much angst. partner sort of understands but does not experience the same and is usually more focussed on getting his lead "right" (understandably). tried to discuss with my brother who is a tango performance dancer - he is sooo analytical - the conversation just got nowhere.

i had put it down to my great grandmothers talk with my grandmother re that we are descended from spanish princesses and french gypsies :wink: well it is a cute story .... and it 'could' even be true...

back to finish absorbing reneejoans posts....

hi again - sorry for so many posts but i - ah well, i have no excuse :roll:

& sorry also for stuffing up last post - looked like it was sort of from renee - was just using her words to respond to. this time will cut and paste ....

<For me, the dance floor is sacred space, the way the theatre is for actors. Nothing bad can happen there. You are totally free to be as playful, expressive, naughty, and emotionally intimate as you want, and nothing bad will ever happen. You are totally safe, and every movement is sacred, a prayer.> THIS is so exactly what i know to be true and it TERRIFIES me. the sadness overwhelmes re past unresolved breach of trust issues. the relief when you know you finally really are safe? whatever i warn my instructor i might cry - he says it is ok, he says ppl cry when they tango; he says he is italian ie he cries a lot; he doesnt mind. (but i think I do!)

On inspirng tango music: top is Pugliese: Zum and La Yumba.
I share the taste for Eastern European tangos;
if I could choreagraph I would dance to Le Grand Tango by Piazzolla as played by Yo Yo Ma, all 11 minutes of it. As it is I dance to it on my own. I think its the tango equuivalent to Stravinsky's Rites of Spring.

And if I want o cry I listen to Arvo Part; An Den Wassern Du Babel (from Arbos)

I like the funky tracks of Gotan and Bajofondo

"La coeur a sa raison que la raison ne connait point."

The Heart has its reasons, of which Reason knows nothing.

Blaise Pascal, 17th Century French Mathematician, Theologian, and Philosopher.

Search "Pascal's Wager" on the internet.

Renee