Wednesday 30 July 2014

Down, down, deeper and down.....

There is much debate in Caunes this week about last week’s Vendredi Classique concert.

A group called “ Milonga, L’Espirit du tango”  had featured in the Carcassonne festival, but had been rained off after about half an hour. It was a smaller version of the group that entertained us in Caunes last Friday. A potential storm meant that the usual beautiful abbey venue was abandoned and the group performed in the community hall.
Argentinian tango, from the early 20th century and more modern pieces were played by a really talented trio, on piano, bass and accordion, accompanied by a stunning mezzo soprano ( Daniele Scotte), and featuring a couple of tango dancers.
Michael Juraver on bass, and the magnificent mezzo soprano Daniele Scotte
The music was wonderful, and Daniele Scotte’s powerful, soulful voice added real depth to the whole performance. It is, however, the dancers that have caused the debate in town !


They were not glamorous, they were not young, they were not beautiful people. He was balding, not tall and elegant and she was ever so slightly overweight. For me, they were perfect for what I thought was supposed to be a gritty kind of pre rap street dance. Some people have said they were not sensual enough, or not passionate enough. I think they were excellent……but normal.

To me, they were perfect imperfect  performers  representing normal people dancing in a bar, telling stories of relationships through tango…a bit macho, sometimes violent, involving love, sex, and sometimes indifference. I don’t know whether they were great dancers or not, but for me, they helped me understand the complexities of showing relationships through this kind of dance.

Now for something completely different....

In the streets of  Leran

Our weekend continued with a musical theme, when we visited a small village in the Ariege region. There was a very small scale festival taking place, including a procession of things with wheels !


Things with wheels, parading through the streets of Leran
We met up with Alan, an old work colleague from Kirklees, in the village of Leran. He had been the Music Inspector in Kirklees, when we worked there, and now lives in Leran. Since living there, he and his partner, Eileen, with whom we also worked, have formed a village choir. One of his Yorkshire based choirs was visiting the village, and  we watched a delightful concert in the village church with both choirs performing. Old friends were in the Yorkshire choir, and it was a really lovely occasion, seeing the way Alan had enabled these 2 groups of people to enjoy music together.

Alan Simmons, conducting two choirs who met up in Leran in the Ariege

To say we ended the last few days with yet another concert is true….but it was certainly a somewhat different experience.
Status Quo performed in Carcassonne last night…..and we attended. The concert venue is amazing….within the walls of the old city, and quite intimate really. Quo were incredible…still going strong after all these years, still banging out an amazing amount of decibels ( my ears are still ringing), and still providing a very professional job of giving the crowd what they want.

The amphi theatre within the walls of the city in Carcassonne


It was great fun. The audience loved them, and we all sang, clapped, swayed…and some of the audience joined in some serious headbanging.

The stage looked more and more impressive as it got darker
Old headbangers enjoying themselves.


So…. A few days of vastly different musical experiences……all good.

25 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. It was indeed....a bit of a smorgasbord really.

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  2. What a treat and so diverse xcx

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    1. yes, I'm wondering what else we could have seen to give it even more variety....it's Offenbach this weekend in Caunes....that will add to the mix.

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  3. Goodness me - what incredible diversity! I agree absolutely about your feelings on imperfectly perfect performers and you hit the description of a tango bang on the nose!

    I'm delighted to hear this lovely news of Alan - he was such a delightful gentle man and it's good to hear he is doing what he enjoys so much and sharing it with so many.

    So glad you're enjoying a great summer and packing lots in! Axxx

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    1. It was lovely to see Alan. Eileen was back in England, spending some time with her son who is recovering from some surgery at the moment, but we have plans to see them both in the autumn.I'm glad you think I have understood what tango is supposed to be about. I think, as the quality of the Caunes concerts tends to be so high, people have come to expect perfection and beauty and slickness.....I really think this was more powerful because it was earthier !
      As for Status Quo...what can I say ? They did what they do....and they do it brilliantly . The family start arriving next week, so these cultural happenings may take a back seat for a few weeks. Lots of love Jxxx

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  4. Replies
    1. Now we hear that Rick Parfit is ill and has cancelled the next 6 dates of Quo's European tour...so we feel lucky to have seen them.

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  5. Such a remarkable assemblage of music in such a brief span of time, Janice. Good for you both for embracing it all - especially the featured tango dancers. I love your expressions of how these imperfect dancers expressed life. Wonderful post.

    We haven't been able to attend most of the outdoor concerts here, as yet, this season. Weather, other commitments, life - I miss them, so, especially enjoyed reading this.

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    1. Another Vendredi Classique was brought inside this week too Penny. 3 out of 4 of Caunes's major concerts this summer have been moved from their normal fabulous outside venue.... hoping for better weather next week !

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  6. I think that these days comments like the ones you suggest are sadly typical. Many are so hung up on being "perfect, beautiful people" that anyone who is normal is considered persona non grata - is it any wonder that so many of our youngsters suffer greatly about their looks and appearance?
    A great location to listen to Status Quo.

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    1. The more I think about it, the more I realise how impressed I was by the less than perfect dancers !....and yes, the Carcassonne concert arena is amazing.

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  7. I agree about the tango dancers....wonder how many baldies in the audience complained...or how many slightly overweight women....

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    1. They were great Helen.... I've had a few "conversations" with people in Caunes who have felt otherwise.

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  8. Super description of the lovely dancers - but I don't think up to those sort of relationships any more. Thank goodness!

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    1. Not sure what you mean Nilly....but if its about not wanting tempestuous, complicated and damaging relationships ...I'm with you.....give me quiet contentment anytime......Tango stuff....been there, got the T shirt !

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  9. You can't beat live music can you! Quo in Carcassonne - that is brilliant. We are off to Marciac next week to see Wynton Marsalis - looking forward to seeing a new area of France and a fun weekend. xx

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    1. Seems like we were lucky to see Quo.... Rick Parfit is now ill and has cancelled their next 6 shows. Hope you enjoy your weekend.

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  10. Brilliant stuff. What a variety!

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  11. What a fantastic week of music, Janice. I'm with you on the tango dancers - I'd have loved the realism as well as the rhythm. Combined choirs would be such a musical treat, as a chorister myself I can imagine the delight. And the venue for the Status Quo - Wow!! No wonder your ears are ringing. Great post!! xxx

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    1. It was an excellent week, actually rounded of, by a further concert in Caunes...a wonderful young opera company performing a very modern take on some Offenbach....fabulous. What a week !

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  12. . . quote from an old 'eadbanger - 'Sometimes it feels as tho' yer brains is comin' out frew yer nostrils - but it's great, innit!'

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    1. ....well , it used to feel great.....not sure it does now.....but very happy to watch and listen to people who still thrive on it !

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  13. I was sure I'd commented on this, Janice. I blame Facebook and quick peeks. :)

    What a lovely variety of events you've been attending. I completely agree with your comments about the tango dancers. Who says you have to be slim and beautiful to express real emotion? The fete looks fun in your gorgeous sunshine (I'm writing this on a grey, damp afternoon) and I love the old pram, or should I call it a baby carriage?

    It must have been fun to meet up with your former colleague and go to the concert and Staus Que certainly rounded things off with a bang. :-)

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  14. It was a great week P. As everything is now revolving around les petits enfants, the memory of it all seems very civilised and adult orientated....although I'm not sure I can really say that about Status Quo.

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