INCHOATE THOUGHTS
Hi,
I wonder at the great variety of
music available to us, not just recorded, but for real.
I heard two amazing women play in
Boston on successive nights. Both have incredible stage presence. Isabelle Faust
was energetic, though poised and reserved, without a hint of the virtuoso’s
self-indulgence. Lila Downs was also energetic—dancing, leaping, or undulating
her arms seductively, lifting her head and smiling beguilingly between phrases.
Both are real women—not girls—Downs being
the older of the two, perhaps approaching forty. She has a physique acquiring
substance, whereas Faust is tall and slender, though statuesque. There was a
difference between their outfits, too. Faust was in a real soloist’s gown—red, full-length
with a train, and flared crepe sleeves that accentuated the movement of her
arms. Downs wore tasseled boots, a black fringed wrap skirt short at the front
and long at the back, an embroidered white corset, and, from time to time, a
white shawl that she draped expressively about either her arms or her microphone
stand. Faust’s hair was elfin—short, sideways-swept, and blonde. Downs’s tresses
hung loose—long, black and glossy.
Both had their audiences on their
feet applauding wildly, but only one received shouts of “¡Viva México!”—not
surprisingly, for while Faust is German, Downs is half-American, half-Mexican,
and self-identifies with the indigenous peoples of Central America. Their
accompanists differed, too. Downs played with her traveling band of seven musicians—accordionist,
guitarist, bass guitarist, drummer, conga player, saxophonist, and trumpeter.
Faust performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Their music was from different
worlds—superficially, at least. Faust played the Beethoven Violin Concerto in
D, Opus 61, first performed in 1806. Downs sang a range of mostly Mexican
songs—traditional, cantina, and recent compositions. Faust played in Symphony
Hall without amplification. Downs played in the nearby but far smaller Berklee
Performance Center, with loudspeakers, and a light and video projection show.
Both were utterly stunning.
Interestingly, Leo, my hypercool
sixteen-year-old son, could not be persuaded to go to the Lila Downs gig, but
was eager (insofar as a hypercool sixteen-year-old will allow himself to appear
eager) to hear Isabelle Faust. I’m relieved to have heard them both.
I wish I could include pictures of
them, but I don’t want to infringe copyright, so I provide links to appropriate
websites.
Isabelle Faust: http://www.impresariat-simmenauer.de/main.php?l=bio&lang=en&byid=10026.
Lila Downs: http://www.liladowns.com/liladaSite/Lila_Downs.html.
Check them out. Most of all, hear
them both live if you get the chance!
Ever,
Ivan