Music in Peebles: Troppos
The Edinburgh Music Review is pleased to publish an account from Helen Grant Cumming of a lively concert in Peebles last week, held at the Eastgate Theatre as part of Music in Peebles. For further interesting events, please follow the Music in Peebles links in the article. For more information about Music in Peebles, which has worked to bring the best of chamber music to the Scottish Borders for many years, see https://musicinpeebles.org.uk
Troppos brought a smile to every face
Helen Grant Cumming
The Eastgate Theatre was filled with Southern sunshine on Saturday when Music in Peebles introduced an enthusiastic audience eager to leave the gloom of the February weather to travel to the dance halls of Spain and Latin America with Troppos.
Made up of an unusual line-up of violin, oboe/cor anglais. clarinet, tuba and percussion Troppos covers each section of a standard orchestra, and comprising two Spaniards, a Cuban, a Pole and a solitary Scot it’s easy to understand the Hispanic influence in much of their music. It has been described as “music that wants to be danced to and put a smile on every face”—all presented with an easy-going style.
Speaking of dancing we heard Rodriguez’ famous Uruguayan tango ‘La Cumparsita’, which you may recall from the Billy Wilder film ‘Some Like it Hot’ with Jack Lemmon dressed in drag complete with flapper dress and rose between his teeth.
And the paso doble ‘España Gati’, traditionally played at the paseo or entrance of the bullfighters; no toreros on this occasion, but plenty of calls of olé from the audience.
And another paso doble ‘Suspiros de España’ (“Sighs of Spain”), full of yearning for “the homeland”, and especially popular with expats on YouTube, many of whom suggest it should replace the Spanish national anthem.
All of Troppos’ music is arranged by oboist Sergio Vega Dominguez, who formed the group while studying at the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow, looking for an innovative sound to create a musical journey which would reconnect their music to the sensuality of dance.
Although much of Troppos’ repertoire comes from Spain or giants of Latin American music from the melting pot of countries part of what was at one time the Spanish Empire—Arturo Marquez’ ‘Danzon No’— dance remains the driving force. So included were Shostakovich’s ‘Tahiti Trot’ (or Tea for Two) suitably adapted for the line-up with a special Troppos twist and the same composer’s Waltz No 2 (featured in the opening sequence of Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Eyes Wide Shut’). All adapted by Sergio.
And two of Sergio’s own compositions, ‘Mozart Cuban Medley’, with references to Mozart, Bartok and Ligeti, and the ‘Isako Suite’, reminiscing on a child at bedtime, and his first dance with his wife.
Music in Peebles next concert is on 19 March, when superstar pianist Steven Osborne will be joined by top saxophonist Martin Kershaw for an evening exploring the waltz and the world of jazz. Tickets available from the Eastgate Theatre (01721 725777).
Pix: Troppos in rehearsal