[Tango-L] Transition of Tango Music

[Nina Pesochinsky]

Hi, AJ and everyone,

I see your point.  Yes, perhaps I misunderstood.  Possibly because 
the framing is not the same in print as in spoken words.

One thing that came to my mind is that perhaps we really need new, 
accurate words to describe various dances.  If we agree that dancing 
tango to non-tango music is NOT Argentine tango, then it really does 
need a name of its own.  The reason is that if something remarkable 
happens in that form of dancing, then its own genre will be properly 
credited.  As it stands now, this form of dancing really does invade 
the space of Argentine tango and covers itself up with its already 
established respect.

This most certainly would include a new name for electronic tango. 
which, essentially is not tango.  If there is a proper name, then in 
any discussion that involves a traditional tango it would be clear 
that we should not be comparing apples and oranges.  But as long as 
this music tries to call itself Argentine tango, it will never gain 
the respect that it might deserve in its own right because it will 
always be compared with the traditional tangos and will always look 
pale in comparison.  If something is called a tango, then the 
expectation is often much higher of that music than what electronic 
ones deliver.  In this light, if there was something new and 
interesting created in the electronic form, then it would not be fair 
if it does not get a proper credit because it was incorrectly 
compared to another genre.

I think that these discussions are very good.  They might help each 
effort in music and dance to earn its own name and its own place.

So maybe someone can come up with a really good name for these, other 
than the tongue-in-cheek that already have been presented?  Any 
suggestions?  What realistically can you call a dance that has AT 
steps but is danced to some other music?  What can you call music 
based on tango that is electronic?

Best regards to all,

Nina



At 10:55 PM 2/27/2007, you wrote:

>Nina,
>No contradiction at all. You're reading into my post incorrectly. I don't
>see classical that way. As a film composer I often work in the medium.
>Classical music is seen as stuffy because, of the elitist snobs who ruin it
>for people rather than the people who choose to leave it. They leave it not
>because they can't cut it but, because, they are alienated from it.
>I left it because, you just can't make a decent living playing it. I play
>all styles of music fairly well so it's not an inferiority issue.
>
>In most music circles there is always a trend of downing some other style as
>not being as good or as authentic, or "that's not music", etc. that's what
>I've been seeing on this list and that s what kills things. As far as
>innovation see jazz fusion  as an example. Consider nuevo tango music as a
>fusion style of old and new. Nothing wrong with a fusion style. It bringa
>about some fresh material and yet makes the new artists examine the old
>music.
>
>_A.
>
> > From: Nina Pesochinsky <nina at earthnet.net>
> > Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 07:23:23 -0700
> > To: <tango-l at mit.edu>
> > Subject: Re: [Tango-L] Transition of Tango Music
> >
> > AJ,
> >
> > You wrote:
> >
> > " Work with musicians to tell us you want but,
> > also keep an open mind AND for goodness sakes
> > stop the elitism, snobbery and judgmental
> > attitude (not specific tot his e-mail just in
> > general) it's seen in many circles and ultimately it poisons the 
> environment".
> >
> > And then in your next post, you wrote:
> >
> > "Most often classical music is seen as stuffy,
> > stuck up and 'dead'. If tango is put in the same
> > box you can kiss it good bye. My thoughts on it any way."
> >
> > This is some of the best snobbery that I have
> > ever seen.  I have seen it before.  I do not see
> > it as arrogance, just frustration covered up by
> > snobbery.  In my observation, this snobbery
> > against classical music usually comes from
> > musicians who had failed as classical musicians
> > and decided to cover up their embarrassment and
> > frustration by "moving on to something more innovative".
> >
> > Nothing personal, just pointing to the contradiction in the posts.
> >
> > The question that comes up then is:
> >
> > Is it possible that the same thing is happening
> > with tango musicians as is happening with some
> > dancers - those who cannot master the original
> > form because of its complexity and challenge,
> > decide to "innovate" it by simplifying it?
> >
> > Best regards to all,
> >
> > Nina
> >
> >
>
>
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