878  In Memoriam - - Alberto Toledano

Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2002 13:00:14 -0800
From: tanguero <tanguero@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: In Memoriam - - Alberto Toledano

The complete written tribute - - including articles and drawings by Alberto Toledano - - received by each attendee at yesterday's Memorial =
Service, as well as additional articles by Alberto, will be located within a few weeks on the website:

tanguero@tanguero.com

What follows is an excerpt:



Tango, A Dialogue Between Two Bodies

by Alberto Toledano





I like to think of Tango as a language, spoken not with the tongue but with the entire body. A silent language indeed, but endowed nonetheless =
with its own syntax and semantics.



Following the musical phrases, the dancers construct sentences with their feet. These sentences are not fixed, immutable figures carved in =
stone. They rather consist of dynamic patterns or elements, which may be combined in any desired manner. Complete arbitrariness is however =
impossible, for movements would otherwise lack fluidity and feel unnatural. This syntactic constraint is akin to the way words are put =
together to form intelligible clauses in daily speech. Furthermore, the same basic, choreographic elements yield totally different combinations, =
according to the music, the space, the mood, as well as the specific partner. These variables thus dictate the meaning of any improvised =
dance.



In much the same way as two interlocutors need pay attention to what each one is saying in order to carry on a stimulating conversation, so =
must the dancers' bodies closely listen to each other. The man must be sensitive to the woman, and the woman in turn must be sensitive to the =
man. This mutual sensitiveness makes the dialogue possible. A clear understanding of and a profound respect for each partner's role are =
tantamount to creating a Tango.



In any couple dance, someone has to lead, someone has to make the first move. This responsibility traditionally rests upon the man. The lead is =
a coded message, which the woman needs to decipher in order to take action. This response on the woman's part in turn gives rise to an =
answer from the man, i.e the man follows the woman's reaction with another proposition. This succession of actions and reactions =
constitutes the dance, a spontaneous dialogue between two bodies. The woman obviously must wait for the man's lead before attempting any =
movement. He then waits for her to complete her action, before sending the next message. Waiting is a fundamental aspect of Tango. It is being =
aware of what the other is trying to express, it is being sensitive to what the other is feeling. Anticipation, much like a rude interruption =
which hampers the natural delivery of speech, disrupts the continuous flow of movement and exchange of energies. Waiting creates a polarity =
essential to communication, to sharing each other.



The music interpretation is enhanced when the man deliberately pauses and lets the woman take the initiative. She can then do different =
adornos (adornments) with her feet. These pauses are bifurcation points from which new paths spread out. I love when the woman takes full =
advantage of such moments, because it allows me to experience her creativity, and savor her sensuality, her feminity. On the other hand, I =
also have the freedom to adorn while she is in a parada (stop) position, for example. This possible alternation of embellishments or monologues =
highly enrich the dance. It then becomes a creative repartee during which we more fully surrender to each other. The man can also pause and =
let bars of music go by before resuming the dance at the next phrase. These quiet, still moments bring the dancers into a closer intimacy, =
forcing their bodies to connect at a deeper, more visceral level.



In a milonga somewhere, a man and a woman sit. Once in a while, they take a sip at their drink. They listlessly observe the dancers glide on =
the floor. Then, a sudden eye contact, a subtle nod, and this man and this woman come together. During a short time span, these two strangers =
get to know each other. Their bodies express feelings and exchange emotions. They live an intense and intimate experience without uttering =
a single word. It's a Tango... Back at their tables, they resume their routine, their eyes languidly follow the dancers.



© Alberto Toledano, 5.31.96