21 Responses to “Cinnamon and Roses Fall to the Ground”
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Manolo – Do you mean this gives you goosebumps in a good way or in a bad way? The first 90% of this is amazing – the women are young and gorgeous and coordinated and so on. But there is, for me, that impression that everything is planned – the “I lift my chin in an imperious way right HERE” sort of thing. But the older lady at the end…ahhhhhh…she is not perfect and she is not young…but shes…got it.
Plainly the older woman was once a young and lovely dancer, and now she teaches the young to follow in her footsteps. Alas that the video is so herky-jerky, that one cannot appreciate the swiftness and the fluidity of her movements.
And to the Toby: certainly, all the movements are quite stylized. The Annalucia does not do flamenco, but she studies the Egyptian belly dance, and she can assure you that every gesture, every smile, and every hip-shimmy is carefully planned.
I fortunately watched this on high-speed access. It was quite smooth. & most excellent.
Movement is beauty. Talent and physique are certainly wonderful things to have, but without the seasoning and skill of wonderful teachers– nothing.
Goosebumps only in the most best way.
The senora’s name is Matilde Coral and these are her students. And the point of this clip is to show exactly what you have described, that in flamenco there is the difference between knowing the forms and having “it” It being that semi-mystical internal something that elevates the dance or the song to the highest level.
For the Manolo the “it” arrived doubly, in the final moment, with Chano Lobato’s singing and Matilde Coral’s dancing coming together magnificently.
I saw a similar scene in a bar in Cordoba many years ago. A young couple gave a flamenco performance, then a party of men and women in their fifties and older came in, the women in sensible tweed skirts. They watched the performance for a bit, then one of the older woman called out to the dancers, who invited her on to the stage where she showed them hoe to perform the steps correctly. Then other young people in the bar began to pair up with the oldsters for instruction.
Grace, poise, an erect bearing and an understanding of the metaphysical itness of art make for agelessness, not facelifts and botox.
I would have enjoyed it *much* more had the camera stayed on full-length views of the dancers.
There’s a reason Fred Astaire always insisted on full-length camera angles. Dance is best appreciated when the full body can be seen.
I have watched this three times today, and each time when Sr. Lobato begins to sing, my eyes fill up.
I read the above comment on how the stylized motions detracted from another reader’s enjoyment, as he would have preferred a more “natural” kind of movement. But I think the ritual of flamenco is like a religious ritual. Once you learn the correct form, you are free to pour yourself wholly into worship. It is through meticulous observation that these women learn to express something ineffable.
Sra. Coral’s hands indeed moved like gentle amorous doves, and her precise and emphatic steps perfectly punctuated the passion of the song and the loveliness of the guitar. But it is her face that enthralled me the most. I loved the regal set of her head and the knowing yet completely welcoming smile. There were moments where you could see the joy in her feet move up her whole body, to be released in a delightful shake of her shoulders and an ecstatic upturn of her beautiful eyes.
Thank you, Manolo, for sharing this small moment.
I watched it with a troubling sense of anxiety. So many online video clips start beautifully only to end with a gag, or a “gotcha!” moment and I was on the edge of my seat waiting to be disappointed.
I will, therefore, watch it again and enjoy it fully.
It is beautiful.
Here we have in gorgeous flowing motion what the great Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca described as Duende, “…not a question of aptitude, but of a true and viable style – of blood, in other words; of what is oldest in culture: of creation made act.”
Here’s a link to Lorca’s great poetic essay :
http://www.musicpsyche.org/Lorca-Duende.htm
Duende, cinnamon & roses, Manolo, you are a most wonderful shoeblogger & poetry in motion, too!!
That was beautiful. Poise, grace, and precision IN HEELS. To think, if women are able to dance in them, then why do so many others go through life wobbling on their shoes!
Kai, there is a difference between ensemble and solo and it doesn’t look like the first part necessarily had a soloist.
However, as a neurotic ballet dancer, the first woman in the row at 2:55 or so has white elastics w/ black shoes and tights. That kind of thing drives me insane.
OMG. Thank you so very much for linking us to a video of such overwhelming grace, sensuality and style! Cinnamon and Roses, indeed. I got chills. I don’t have these moves at 55–would it be at all possible to acquire Sra. Coral’s presence in my lifetime? My sad answer to myself, probably not. I only wish that a dear, beloved, incredibly talented flaminco lover (and flaminco guitar player) colleague of mine–who lost his brave battle with cancer–could see this clip. He too, would have gotten goosebumps. Thank you so much, Manolo. You brought beauty to my day, tears to my eyes, and reminded me of someone I loved so very much…and ultimately lost.
Lovely!
I once tried to learn to dance Flamenco, even buying some real shoes in Spain, complete with nails in the heels and toes! They are actually comfortable, even with a 3″ heel, since the heels are sturdy, the toe box is rounded, and there is cushioning under the ball of the foot. If they didn’t have the nails, I would wear them when not attempting to dance!
Alas, I do not possess the coordination and grace to get my feet and hands dancing at the same time. (though I can play a little basic flamenco guitar.)
Wow. They were so in tune with each other. Even at the Ballet I haven’t seen necessarily that level of sameness or near perfect timing.
Though, the song lyrics seemed almost nonsensical to me. I don’t want to be ostracized for saying such.
Muchas Gracias dear Manolo for sharing this gem with us. “Cinnamon and roses fall to the ground” Ayyyyyyyy what passion and what longing. When dancer and music become one can there be anything more sublime.
Those women were all exquisite. But Senora Coral – now that’s what a diva looks like. You could tell it even before she started dancing. Alas, I’m not sure we produce any women like that in our culture.
… for me the beauty was about the shoes which is why I am the Manolo aficionado. the sound of flamenco high heels has entranced me since I was a little girl watching dancers in the North Beach district of San Francisco where I grew up. Last week I bought a frivolous pair of red suede pumps on sale so I could wear then with black stockings and play flamenco in the kitchen listening to the Gypsy Kings. Thank you Manolo for bringing me full circle and making today a lovely day.
indeed, carlos saura is one of mrs. dalloway’s most admired film directors, with many beautiful illustrations, throughout his long career, of the dance as one metaphor for living a life of fullness and vigor and grace. seek out his “blood wedding” if you are able, or his flamenco “carmen.” they are rare in every sense.
Yoi! I got the goosebumps too! This is absolutely beautiful!!
Thank you for sharing,Manolo, it is the exquisite video and your explanation in the comments section is perfect.