It was quite possibly the best concert I’ve ever attended.
I won tickets to the opera in a competition. I could only win one competition for the semester, so I’d saved all my options up for the one for the Opera Garnier, an event I could never afford and had always wanted to attend. I cheated at the quiz contest, using Google to secure my spot. I slyly attached my entry to my friend’s entry so we’d be picked together, at least that was what we hoped. I was GOING to win this. And so I did, my friend and I both!
Then a Parisian workers’ strike cancelled the opera and I found myself at a jazz accordion concert instead. I was more than disappointed and confused. How were tickets to an accordion concert fair recompense for voided opera tickets?
My friend and I bought a few (okay, I ate three) crêpes before the concert to console ourselves. After stuffing our faces with Nutella, we entered the auditorium with the lowest of expectations.
There were four people on stage. The accordion player spoke first:
“We are Tangaria! Our music is inspired by the tango, the aria, and traditional jazz music. Enjoy.”
I was immediately whisked away. The music was about love—romance, passion, relaxed picnics, angry fights, loss, gain, life. It’s fast, then slow. Each melody pulls at you and then is expanded on in multiple variations, with solos showing off the skill and passion of each musician.
A violin, upright bass, accordion, and various percussion instruments created a sound that until then I had never experienced.
I bought their CD immediately after the concert (which was MUCH different than an opera but just as good). And I now listen to it all the time. It’s a standard listen for me. I especially like running to it, because the texture of the music keeps my attention.
One thing I appreciate about these musicians is the way they improvise together. They each take solos, and as they do, you can hear the other musicians adjusting their accompaniment to match the style and musical thoughts being expressed by the soloist.
I need to work to creatively support people taking solos in my life more often myself. There are times I recognize it’s someone else’s chance to shine, and I try my best to stay on the sidelines and celebrate other people’s moments. This music is teaching me to not only give others a chance to shine, but to actively adjust and support their moments of recognition. I want to help create opportunities for others to solo, and to support those solos behind the scenes until it’s my turn to take the stage.
Take a listen and let me know what you think! Here’s one of my favorite performances, featuring a guest on the mandolin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pm1vfZipLLU
Now, go out and buy this music today! And if you ever get the chance, attend this guy’s concert!
