[Tango-L] Choreography

[Jonathan Thornton]

Jake,

I think discussions of choreography are appropriate. I disagree that all
dancing is choreographed. I lean to the more formal definition of the term.
One reason for that is that if you make the definition too broad it ends up
a synonym for dance and you no longer have a term to make a distinction.

On the other hand I'm personally not interested in dance choreography. I
listen to music almost every single day. I hardly ever watch dance
performances except those incidental to workshops and milongas. But
choreography is clearly important to dance performance. And it's clear that
you are very deeply into performing which is a good thing but not everyone
dances for that reason.

The issues that interest me in the dance are the very subtle but rich
nuances of shared felt music expression. These are not of interest to
everyone and there is no necessity for that.

I once received a private email (and because of that I'm being very
circumspect though would welcome the writer to share with the list the
story) with an anecdote about a famous dancer telling the writer that her
first teacher had her just walk for the first year. But I can well imagine
that in that year of walking her appreciation and expression of the music
grew in depth. She later developed into a fine and moving performer.

I think it is a mistake, possibly a tragic mistake to emphasize choreography
to beginning dancers, especially American beginning dancers who are
unfamiliar with tango music. I think the emphasis should be on the music, on
the feeling, and walking and the embrace and the very basics that allow a
deeper appreciation for the felt experience of dancing tango. All these
things will serve very well those who wish to go on to be performers.

I would think it likely that we have all seen tango performances that were
highly skilled dances but lacked the feeling of tango. Well trained dancers
can be taught to dance tango moves in a short time. For some reason
sometimes they don't learn the feeling of tango and that lack is visible in
their performance.

This is my preference, my opinion based on the experiences that I value.

Jonathan Thornton

 --
"The tango can be debated, and we have debates over it,
but it still encloses, as does all that which is truthful, a secret."
Jorge Luis Borges