The world's best (videos)
In response to popular demand, the video page from our old website will gradually be resurrected, completely revised and updated, and published here, so that you can watch - and read about - the very best tangueros in the world, and see for yourself just what makes their dancing so special.
We begin with two much-requested videos. The first we highly recommend especially to our beginners; the second is the best vals ever (scroll down)...
We begin with two much-requested videos. The first we highly recommend especially to our beginners; the second is the best vals ever (scroll down)...
Tango for the 21st century: musicality, playfulness and soul from Mariano 'Chicho' Frumboli
Chicho is one of the most famous and respected tango dancers in the world. Along with Naveira and Salas (videos to follow here shortly), he epitomises first-generation tango nuevo at its very best. Chicho's style is entirely his own; no-one dances like him. We have had the pleasure of watching him perform live, and it was extraordinary. When he dances, he is utterly absorbed in the music: even if the dance is choreographed, he seems to experience the music afresh, and his musicality is phenomenal.
Here, Chicho shows what a 'nuevo' attitude can bring to traditional tango music. Like all the best modern dancers, he can switch seamlessly between a classic, close embrace and a flexible, open embrace. This dance feels like a 'traditional' tango reinspired and reinvigorated by flashes of innovation and joyfulness. For us, this is great, contemporary tango: beautifully underplayed, individual, and respectfully, wonderfully musical.
Chicho dances here with Lucia Mazer, whom he partnered relatively briefly. We'll publish another video soon which shows him with his current, long-term partner Juana Sepulveda.
As you watch, notice how Chicho begins with such a traditional (formulaic?) opening, but within a few steps cannot resist 'breaking out' into something more expressive and individual. One cannot help but smile at this assertion of character and instinct. Enjoy!
Chicho is one of the most famous and respected tango dancers in the world. Along with Naveira and Salas (videos to follow here shortly), he epitomises first-generation tango nuevo at its very best. Chicho's style is entirely his own; no-one dances like him. We have had the pleasure of watching him perform live, and it was extraordinary. When he dances, he is utterly absorbed in the music: even if the dance is choreographed, he seems to experience the music afresh, and his musicality is phenomenal.
Here, Chicho shows what a 'nuevo' attitude can bring to traditional tango music. Like all the best modern dancers, he can switch seamlessly between a classic, close embrace and a flexible, open embrace. This dance feels like a 'traditional' tango reinspired and reinvigorated by flashes of innovation and joyfulness. For us, this is great, contemporary tango: beautifully underplayed, individual, and respectfully, wonderfully musical.
Chicho dances here with Lucia Mazer, whom he partnered relatively briefly. We'll publish another video soon which shows him with his current, long-term partner Juana Sepulveda.
As you watch, notice how Chicho begins with such a traditional (formulaic?) opening, but within a few steps cannot resist 'breaking out' into something more expressive and individual. One cannot help but smile at this assertion of character and instinct. Enjoy!
The ultimate tangueros: Gustavo Naveira and Giselle Anne dance the best vals ever
Why 'the ultimate tangueros'? Because not only are Gustavo and Giselle two of the very best Argentine tango dancers in the world, and one of the most exciting couples to watch, they have had an enduring influence upon today's tango, across the world, that far surpasses any other couple.
You will probably know Naveira as one of the founders of tango nuevo, and you can see him as that new form evolved, dancing alongside Pablo Veron and Fabian Salas in the film The Tango Lesson (1997). Naveira has worked tirelessly to (re)conceptualise the tango; to deepen and stretch his own understanding; to share his knowledge with teachers of tango across the world; to increase dancers' and teachers' conceptual understanding of the dance; and to encourage us to improvise, build our own frameworks of understanding, and contribute to tango's ongoing development. He is the 'thinking tanguero' and the 'thinker's tanguero'.
We study with this couple frequently, taking their advanced, one-week intensive seminars for tango professionals and teachers. Naveira is a demanding teacher, the best 'teacher of teachers' in the world, and we can vouch for his reputation as an extraordinary innovator, and an inspiring dancer.
Vals is one of Gustavo and Giselle's fortes: we believe this couple to be the best valseros in the world today. The vals below, filmed in 2007, and danced to 'Palomita Blanca' by Anibal Troilo (1944), showcases Gustavo's and Giselle's fleet-footed musicality, huge versatility and enchanting (and sexy) performance style. Notice how they utilise the different possibilities of the 1-2-3 vals rhythm, yet simultaneously express the musical themes and their development. Here you can see a dazzling combination of nuevo-style colgadas, soltadas (breaking of the embrace) and sacadas, alongside some lightning footwork danced with precision in an older, milonguero-style embrace. Throughout, the most striking feature is Gustavo and Giselle's extraordinary musicality.
We must have watched this stunning vals hundreds of times, and it never fails to delight and inspire.
Did you enjoy that? Want to learn to dance vals? We teach it on special courses such as Tango Plus, and also in small groups and private lessons - so just ask!
Page updated 4th March 2017