Worldwide 17 December 2020 we celebrate Bethoven's 250th birday. This is a good time to ask what great tango musicians have in common with Ludwig van Beethoven? It is simply this: They all keep people on their feet. If you have never been brought to your feet by Beethoven, read this story:
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Only the best keep people on their feet.
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The year, 1824, and the place is Wien, Österreich. An absolutely deaf man is conducting his newly composed 9th symphony for the public. Although it is a tradition not even to clap after a movement and wait until the end, you have already stood with others four times, driven to stand and cheer.
Police in the auditorium try to stop the fourth ovation because only royalty are supposed to get three ovations, and now you have disrespected the Viennese royals by putting a lowly musician ahead of them. The fifth standing ovation is yet to come. You have never seen a chorus used for a symphony. You may have wondered if they would ever sing since they have sat in silence through every movement of the symphony. Finally, the chorus dramatically stands.
The music is so powerful tears are in your eyes. You stand for your fifth ovation in spite of the police. At the glorius end, one of the lead vocalists, a woman, turns the composer/director around to face the audience, and he realizes that everyone is on their feet. Certainly you will want to go home and listen to it again. But that is not possible. Sorry. The radio doesn't exist. You cannot buy the CD or even get the vynil. None of these exist. Unlike modern audiences, you now go home, knowing that you porbably will never get the chance to hear Beethoven's 9th ever again.
What precious moments! There will be no record of this momenteous night beyond impressions on paper--the music manuscript and impressions from the audience in the newspapers and streets.
What precious moments! There will be no record of this momenteous night beyond impressions on paper--the music manuscript and impressions from the audience in the newspapers and streets.
Tango Audiences: The lack of being present
This brings us to the great difference of great tango music and Bethoven's music: Beethoven's listeners were attentive and quiet and then boasterous in their praise between movements. On the other hand, rarely have I seen concert goers so loud and unattentive as in a live tango concert. We are all used to tango musicans being dead, and then seem to forget that some are young and alive, playing for us in the flesh! Dead or alive we disrespect them.
This brings us to the great difference of great tango music and Bethoven's music: Beethoven's listeners were attentive and quiet and then boasterous in their praise between movements. On the other hand, rarely have I seen concert goers so loud and unattentive as in a live tango concert. We are all used to tango musicans being dead, and then seem to forget that some are young and alive, playing for us in the flesh! Dead or alive we disrespect them.
In the 1800's generally the audiences were absolutely quiet and listening. If you did not listen at the concert you may not ever hear it again! It was a rare person who heard any of Beethoven's symphonies twice.
Interestingly, the pandemic has us back to listening attentively and not just talking as tango music is in the background. Does it take a tragedy for us to return to mindful attention? Maybe we have learned something.
Note for music lovers:
If you have never been brought to your feet, please read this wonderful introduction that appeared in the New York Times: "Five Minutes that wil make you love Beethoven."
If you have never been brought to your feet, please read this wonderful introduction that appeared in the New York Times: "Five Minutes that wil make you love Beethoven."