In Strangers' Arms

Today the Academy honors singer Amelita Baltar and bandoneonists Ernesto Baffa, Rodolfo Mederos and Walter Ríos. The president Horacio Ferrer opens the event introducing each artist with affection. The ceremony has an intimate tone despite the one hundred people in attendance. This happens in Buenos Aires where people can move from loud conversation to religious silence when the matter is tango.

Only Buenos Aires gives its habitants multiple opportunities to come in close contact with tango artists. Not only we can experience their personality, we can also learn from them historical information we do not find in books.

Amelita, former partner of Piazzolla in life and music holds Ferrer’s hand as she introduces herself and expresses gratitude for the privilege of singing the poet’s “poesía caliente” (hot poetry). I notice their hands remain held for several minutes – until she is done talking. She sings “Balada para un Loco” (Music: Astor Piazzolla. Poetry: Horacio Ferrer). We cannot contain our elation. This song touches something very profound in us, it is hardly to remain seated.

Listening to the musicians’ beginnings is to understand how tango is intertwined with who they are. Ríos began playing with the buttons of his father’s bandoneón when he was crawling, before he was able to walk. For Mederos, the sounds of the instrument are impregnated with sensations: fragrances of his childhood home, the sight of his dog laying on the dirt and the smell of “mate cocido.” Playing is feeling the love of his parent who, despite their “lean” pockets, managed to pay for his musical education when he was just 6 years old.

The program concludes with all the maestros playing Troilos’s bandoneón that is kept in a display case at the museum of the Academy. Baffa hesitates a few seconds when many shout “Responso!” Mederos and Ríos play compositions of their own. It is a unique experience hearing the sounds of the same instrument in the hands and souls of three great maestros. I made a note of Mederos’ comment as he starts getting acquainted with Troilo’s bando (without meaning to be funny): “I must say a musical instrument, like underwear, is meant to be used by only one person.”

Tags: Music, Song