Do you know how to dance to chotis?
I don't. 🤷♀
They say that it is very easy, so easy that you don't have to move from your place, from one brick to be able to dance it.
Maybe if I try to learn it and make my steps of that dance I could confirm to you if it is indeed that simple or not. At the moment, just my piano danced it under my fingers.
But why and how did it happen that I played this song, which is not actually the type of music I would usually play?
The story of this chotis dance started yesterday afternoon when I gave the lesson to one of my adult students. He has lived in Madrid but for the last few years, he and his wife have been enjoying their retirement here, in the Mediterranean. When we finished the lesson, his wife came to greet me and she mentioned their city and the big day that is celebrated today. May 15, San Isidro. She even wanted to buy a traditional dress to dance chotis (but unfortunately didn't find any). As they say, it is a tradition on this day, to dress in that traditional way and dance. They would do it with joy and a bit of nostalgia.
He asked me did I knew how to play the song, Madrid, Madrid, Madrid by the Mexican composer Agustín Lara. A famous Spanish chotis, which his mother liked too. Well, not that I ever heard about it (oops) but the challenge was accepted. I could learn it anyway.
My student and her wife were the inspiration to find the scores, learn the song (not to perfection though) and record it. Between lessons, life and more lessons, I had a few attempts to immortalize it but the thing is that at least one mistake always found its way into my playing. It was not a nice thing, but I took it relatively calmly, went to cook the lunch, and later tried again. A few times more. 😂
Finally, this is how it sounds in a piano version... in my opinion far from being perfect... and with a particular moment, that just those who will pay more attention will notice. Or maybe everyone who would like to listen to this chotis as I know, I just messed up that moment - and it is not even connected to the keys and my fingers. It is like when you dance and you make a step in the wrong direction. Not a big deal. 😁
However, for all those Hivers who are from the Spanish capital, or live there I wanted to wish with this song a happy San Isidro day. I hope they had a nice celebration today!
¡A celebrar San Isidro con chotis y un buen cocido, como manda la tradición madrileña!
▶️ 3Speak