Not really. When I need a serenity break I browse through our wonderful music library. Looking at random at the many shelves helps me discover works and performances I had missed. My most recent 'break' brought a terrific discovery. You'll hear it Sunday night at 8 p.m. on Musica Sacra, Classical 101's weekly program of sacred music. The Misa Tango is a tango mass was composed by Luis Bacalov in 1997. The premiere was given two years later in Rome, the composer's adopted hometown. Since then, the mass has been performed throughout Europe and Latin America. Here's part of a recent broadcast from Venice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP2FLssbW7U The recording I found has an impressive pedigree. Myun-Whun Chung conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of Saint Cecilia in Rome. The soloists are Ana Maria Martinez and Placido Domingo. Luis Bacalov was born in Argentina in 1933 and has lived in Rome for many years. He uses a Spanish translation of the Latin mass. Not all of the text was used because the composer "wanted the work to have meaning to persons of all faiths." I fell in love with the Misa Tango. You will, too.
Christopher Purdy is Classical 101's early morning host, 7-10 a.m. weekdays. He is host and producer of Front Row Center – Classical 101’s weekly celebration of Opera and more – as well as Music in Mid-Ohio, Concerts at Ohio State, and the Columbus Symphony broadcast series. He is the regular pre-concert speaker for Columbus Symphony performances in the Ohio Theater.