Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Pachouli or Patchouli: The Definitive Performance

It is an undeservedly obscure tune: Pachouli (according to Gidon Kremer) or Patchouli (according to Tim Ribchester and the music publisher, Melos). But, the definitive performance must be that of Caeli Smith and Tim Ribchester in today's video. If you Google "pachouli patchouli piazzolla", the first 25 references all point to today's video. The tune was not totally unknown before the video, it appears on Kremers CD, El Tango, it was used in the score of the NYC Ballet work, Todo Buenos Aires and a piano score can be purchased from Melos. But as Piazzolla tunes go, this is a very thin résumé.

While Kremer is very famous for his interpretations of Piazzolla, the Smith/Ribchester version more than holds its own in comparison. Kremer's is characteristically unconstrained while the Smith/Ribchester version is controlled and direct and, I would venture to guess, more true to the original score. Smith is a very talented young violinist and Ribchester, who I would guess arranged the piece, is a serious student of Piazzolla's music.

While not necessary to enjoying today's video, you may enjoy Ms. Smith's reports from the YouTube Symphony Orchestra rehearsals which are available from her YouTube Channel.

If the video does not appear below, click here.



To learn more about Piazzolla videos, visit the Piazzolla Video site.

No comments:

Post a Comment