La Luna Nueva — Miracle Theatre Group’s festival of Hispanic arts and culture from around the world in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month — opens in just a couple of weeks, and we couldn’t be more excited about the diverse line-up (see the whole schedule in English; vea el horario completo en español). Our Marketing Assistant Stefanus Gunawan continues his look backstage visits with our guest artists, offering an inside look at their life, their passion, their art. Here, guest blogger Stefanus Gunawan chats with bandoneonista and milonguero, Alex Krebs.
In his Luna Nueva festival show, Alex Krebs Tango Quartet with guest vocal artist, Pepe Raphael once a vocalist for the renowned band Pink Martini and now member of Pepe & the Bottle Blonds, weave together strings of raw emotion, fiery passion, sultry Argentine Tango, enthralling works both original from Argentina by legends such as Astor Piazzolla at Milagro on Sept. 28 at 8pm. Disfrute, escuche, y relájese to Alex Krebs Tango Quartet.
Thanks Alex for taking the time to chat with Milagro. The million dollar Argentine Tango question: How did Argentine Tango enter your life?
I heard the famous tango singer, Carlos Gardel—Carlos Gardel (11 December 1890 – 24 June 1935) was a singer, songwriter and actor, and is perhaps the most prominent figure in the history of tango. The unerring musicality of Gardel’s baritone voice and the dramatic phrasing of his lyrics made miniature masterpieces of his hundreds of three-minute tango recordings.—on the radio and fell in love with the music. After that the dance, its complexities and trance moments got me in even deeper.
Artistically and musically speaking, what texture will your music choice contain?
We’ll play classic standards, then foray into the music of Ástor Piazzolla—Ástor Pantaleón Piazzolla (March 11, 1921 – July 4, 1992) was an Argentine tango composer and bandoneón player. His oeuvre revolutionized the traditional tango into a new style termed nuevo tango, incorporating elements from jazz and classical music. A virtuoso bandoneónist, he regularly performed his own compositions with a variety of ensembles—and also include many of our original compositions; contemporary tangos that reflect our world view.
What qualities of movement will you seek for in your dance?
The qualities of movement will revolve around musicality, connection, and fluidity.
How will you marry the two together into a beautiful arrangement such that it will connect and complement each other?
The show will be centered on the music and its evolution through history. Hannah Poston and I will be dancing only a few numbers, mainly so people can “see” the music — we feel we will be the extension of the musical ideas.
What are some qualitative differences between Argentine Tango and Ballroom Tango?
In Argentine Tango there are no competitions — it is the clarity of the lead and follow, the comfort of the embrace, the subtle signals that determine how successful a dancer is. The form flows from these ideas, rather than being the ends.
Music and movement wise, could you explain the difference between Chacarera and Argentine Tango?
They are completely different in every way. Chacarera is Argentine folk music/dance; Tango is/was “musica popular”. Tango is kinesthetic, Chacarera is visual, Tango works inward, Chacarera works outward, and it is music from the “Pampas”, Tango is the pulse of the city.
How has Argentine Tango changed your life?
I started tango when I was 18. Next year I will have danced half of my life. I started with tango, so it did not “change” my life per se — it has always been my adult life.
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About Pepe Raphael, Guest Vocalist: Pepe Raphael, once a vocalist for the renowned band Pink Martini and now member of Pepe & the Bottle Blonds, piquant pulsations have taken him from Madrid (where he was born) to New York City (where he performed) to Portland (where he now lives). Pepe has performed leading roles in Evita with Music Theatre of Oregon and in West Side Story with the Musical Theatre Company and with The Portland Opera. Pepe has also appeared in several major motion pictures and television movies. Pepe successfully blends dance, opera and musical theatre experience with his ‘original songwriting’ and ‘comedic’ wit to deliver a fresh and innovative performance.
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This year’s La Luna Nueva festival is made possible with the support of PGE Foundation, The Oregonian, Oregon Arts Commission, Regional Arts & Culture Council and Work for Art. Festival events occur September 14-29, 2012 at El Centro Milagro, 525 SE Stark Street, Portland, Oregon 97214; a complete schedule is available here. Admission varies; several events are FREE. Purchase tickets at 503-236-7253 or www.milagro.org (follow links for “La Luna Nueva” in right-hand sidebar).