More tango

Tango: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack; Lalo Schifrin, composer

A friend of mine from my steamboatin’ days lives in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was the drummer in our Dixieland band. I drove to his home to visit him one day while I lived in San Antonio. After getting caught up and getting a little tour of his home, he wanted to share with me a recent DVD acquisition from Amazon.

“Tango”, a film by Spanish director Carlos Saura, tells the story of a theatre director in Buenos Aires, Argentina, who puts together a musical about the Tango. The movie received a nomination for the 1998 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The composer of the soundtrack is named Lalo Schifrin. He actually appears in the movie along with his performing musicians.

A Paris Conservatory-trained pianist, composer and conductor, Mr. Schifrin is mostly known for his television and movie scores. His most recognizable and enduring theme is the opening title to “Mission Impossible”. He also composed the music for “Mannix” and “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”. His film scores include “Cool Hand Luke”, “Dirty Harry”, “Enter the Dragon” and “Kelly’s Heroes”.

I had never had exposure to the Tango culture of Brazil and Argentina before visiting my friend. What I found in this movie was alluring and intoxicating; certainly the dancing, but the music, even more. It speaks of a different time, cultivation of life, definition of mores and a different perspective of love.

This is a favorite rest area on my iPod highway.

Credits: To Lalo Schifrin, for the theme to “Mission Impossible”, one of the greatest 5/4 songs ever. It’s right up there with “Take Five” and the second movement to Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6.