Music affects our emotions, there is no doubt about it. My poor brain is so easily influenced by music that it can lead me off a cliff like a rat following Pied Piper of Hamelin. It's just as well that we link our memory to a piece of music, the synapses between the limbic system and prefrontal cortex is perhaps more powerful than the logic and reasoning of our frontal cortex.
Some expressive music are so inviting and strong, that my mind surrenders and allow itself to be led onto the dance floor for a tango; I love letting myself wallow in these melancholic tunes so much that a string of simply constructed notes like Chopin's Prelude in E minor (Op28, No4) can bring water to my eyes.
The title is a piece of old tango music written in 1935 by Carlos Gardel. He was perhaps the most prominent figure in Tango, although prior to this point, I had no idea who he was. According to Wiki, he died in an air crash at the height of his career, becoming an archetypal tragic hero mourned throughout Latin America.
Anyway, I heard this in a Itzhak Perlman's CD today, and immediately recognised the piece that was used in the opening scene of Schindler's list. I never knew the name of the piece, but it's made such an impression on me that I've never forgotten it. Now I finally put a name on it.
This is one of my favorite scene of all times, in my mind, this is just the persona that I have always wished to be.
We start with the camera following a waiter who makes his way round the place, setting the location in a fine diner club with a live band playing perfume de mujer in the background, drowned by the social chatter about the place. Then it freezes on Schindler (Liam Neeson) as he make his appearance. Well-groomed and dressed to the nine, with an air of elegance. This got the waiters talking, who is this man? The camera focuses back on Schindler as he scans the room with his sharp piercing gaze, studies his opportunities. A pretty woman looked his way, looked away acting disinterest, but stole a peek back at him. Schindler smiles as he knows he's won the game. As the first violin solo of perfume de Mujer comes on, the camera moves to two SS officers on the other end of the table. Camera flashes on the badges, there's the reason why he came tonight. But no, there's a reserve table, someone higher up, someone more important. The SS commander officer enters the restaurant with his escort and a beautiful girl. There, his real prize of the night. Schindler makes his move.
He's handsome, well presented, graceful and elegant. Later in the scene he reveals his charm and unstoppable charisma. All class. Sigh, I don't think any of this can be learned.
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