German Cornejo's Fantasy Island Tracks

If you were stranded on a desert island, which tracks would you absolutely need to get you through those times of despair? Our castaway, German Cornejo, choreographer and lead dancer of the smash hit dance show Tango Fire, is regarded as one of the world’s best tango show choreographers and dancers today. We asked this Argentine maestro, who critics such as The New York Times and Financial Times have consolidated as the current “hot young choreographer”, to request his musical salvation. Surely man cannot live on tango and sea salt alone?

by German Cornejo

JUST MY IMAGINATION (The Cranberries)

This song Brings my childhood days back to me. My mother has always had a great and eclectic taste for music, so at home played music from The Beatles, Michael and Janet Jackson, Beethoven, Phil Collins, Queen, Mariah Callas, Bach, David Bowie, Prince, Madonna, Abba, Jamiroquai, and Mozart among many others. And of course, tango. She taught me about these great and amazing artists, allowing me to develop a taste for music.

ROCK WITH YOU (Michael Jackson)

It reminds me how much I love having the chance to work with the dancers and friends within my dance company. It re-charges me, filling my soul with love and good vibes before a rehearsal.

HALO (Beyoncé)

As this was the first duo with Gisela (my dance partner) premiered after my father passed away, this song became automatically a reminder of him. Since our first performance was based on this song, each time I dance it, besides the pure connection we have with Gisela on stage, I feel deeply connected with my father too. It's like I'm honouring him through the dance.

CITY OF STARS (La La Land)

A beautiful song that help me to keep strong when I miss my love while I'm on tours. The work of both of us do requires that we travel around the world, so in many times – and for a few months – we have been without the other one, working in different parts of the world.

AVE MARIA (Milva and Piazzolla)

It gives me calm, bringing back to me the peace that sometimes I leave in the way to achieve my projects on time with the quality I expect.

THE MASK AND MIRROR (Loreena McKennitt)

Another reminder of my mother. She used to hear McKennitt and Enya while she cleaned at home. I remember during the weekends going from my bedroom to the living room, crossing through that kind of mix between "winter garden" and office designed by mom, always hearing the peaceful voice of McKennitt.

LET’S DANCE (David Bowie)

It brings to my mind when I was teenager and used to go out every night with my friends, enjoying each night as if it was the last one. "Martini", "Tequila", and "Gin and Tonic" were in da’ house.

RIVER DEEP, MOUNTAIN HIGH (Tina Turner)

It works like a revitalizing shock on me. It reminds me of my beginning in the arts university: my father, waking me up at 4.15am every morning so that I could take the bus to travel from my hometown to Buenos Aires city, and then have my daily ballet class at 8am. Lovely times.