Month: October 2020

Tango 22

Jessica Ipkendanz and Hugo Alvarez provided the musical underpinning of Australia’s first local tango show of the 21st century, “Una Historia Del Tango”, and this edition takes a retrospective look at their interpretation of tango classics and more, through their CD, Tango 22. Then the legacy of light-hearted music from Edgardo Donato features, and there is a brief run-down on what is happening around Australia for tangueros. That’s this Sunday on Tango Capital, 7:00pm to 8:00pm:

Image:  CD cover for the music acknowledged in the playlist.

PLAYLIST:

  • Valsecito Criollo, meaning ‘Little Creole Waltz’; recorded by Héctor Varela on 1 November 1955; a vals with music composed by Lidio Fasoli, first recorded in 1937 and lyrics by Francisco García Jiménez.  
  • Gato, meaning ‘Cat’; recorded by Edgardo Donato on 12 February 1937; a tango with music composed by Edgardo Donato, lyrics by Homero Manzi, and sung by Horacio Lagos.
  • Julián; recorded by Edgardo Donato on 1 December 1950; a tango with music composed by Edgardo Donato in 1924 and lyrics by José Luis Panizza. This tango is dedicated to the Afro-Uruguayan musician Julián Gonzalez, a drummer. 
  • A Media Luz, meaning ‘At Twilight’; recorded by Edgardo Donato on 13 October 1941; a tango with music composed by Edgardo Donato in 1925, lyrics by Carlos César Lenzi, and sung by Horacio Lagos.  
  • Se Va La Vida, meaning ‘Life Is Gone’; recorded by Edgardo Donato on 7 October 1936; a tango with music composed by Edgardo Donato & Roberto Zerrillo in 1929, lyrics by Luis Mario, and sung by Horacio Lagos.
  • El Huracán, meaning ‘The Hurricane’; recorded by Edgardo Donato on 9 December 1932; a tango with music composed by Edgardo Donato & Osvaldo Donato, lyrics by Nolo López, and sung by Félix Gutierrez.  
  • Porteña Linda, meaning ‘Beautiful Woman of Buenos Aires’; recorded by Edgardo Donato on 30 April 1940; a milonga with music composed by Edgardo Donato, lyrics by Horacio Sanguinetti, and sung by Horacio Lagos.  
  • Nostalgias, meaning ‘Nostalgias’; from the collection ‘Tango22’ released in 2001, recorded by Jessica Ipkendanz and Hugo Alvarez in 2001; a tango with music composed by Juan Carlos Cobián in 1936 and lyrics by Enrique Cadícamo.  
  • El Choclo, meaning ‘The Corncob’; from the collection ‘Tango22’ released in 2001, recorded by Jessica Ipkendanz and Hugo Alvarez in 2001; a tango with music composed by Ángel Villoldo, first recorded in 1903. Notes: 1. Ángel Villoldo wrote the original lyrics and Irene Villoldo (Villoldo’s sister) claimed that ‘El Choclo’ is about a blond-haired pimp. Others have claimed that the name is a phallic reference, and certainly Villoldo’s lyrics can support that interpretation.  2. Villoldo added extra lines to the lyrics prior to 1905 but none of his lyrics were published with the sheet music. 3. Mariambo-Catán added 3 lines in the 1930s; these were sung by Ángel Vargas with Ángel D’Agostino in 1941. 4. Completely different lyrics were written in 1947 by Enrique Santos Discépolo. These refer to the origins of tango and were sung by Libertad Lamarque in the Mexican film ‘Gran Casino’. 5. ‘Kiss of Fire’ is USA song written in 1952 by Lester Alien and Robert Hill and set to the music of ‘El Choclo’ with minor adaptations (last 2 bars of the first section changed; 2 short phrases added to the second section; third section omitted). Music possibly written in 1898; definitely first played in 1903 by the orquesta of José Luis Roncallo at the ‘El Americano’ restaurant in at 966 Cangallo (now Calle Teniente General Perón); sheet music published in 1905 without lyrics.
  • Mi Buenos Aires Querido, meaning ‘My Beloved Buenos Aires’; from the collection ‘Tango22’ released in 2001, recorded by Jessica Ipkendanz and Hugo Alvarez in 2001; a tango with music composed by Carlos Gardel in 1934, lyrics by Alfredo Le Pera, and sung by Jessica Ipkendanz and Hugo Alvarez.  
  • Silueta Porteña, meaning ‘Shadow Of A Buenos Aires Woman’; from the collection ‘Tango22’ released in 2001, recorded by Jessica Ipkendanz and Hugo Alvarez in 2001; a milonga with music composed by Nicolas Luis Cuccaro & Juan Ventura Cuccaro in 1936 and lyrics by Orlando D’Aniello & Ernesto Noli.  
  • Taquito Militar, meaning ‘Military Heels’; from the collection ‘Tango22’ released in 2001, recorded by Jessica Ipkendanz and Hugo Alvarez in 2001; a milonga with music composed by Mariano Mores in 1952.  
  • Desde El Alma, meaning ‘From The Soul’, from the collection ‘Tango22’ released in 2001, recorded by Jessica Ipkendanz and Hugo Alvarez in 2001; a vals with music composed by Rosita Melo in 1911. There are two sets of lyrics: one by Melo’s husband, Victor Piuma Vélez around 1922; the other set by Homero Manzi and written in 1948, for the film ‘Pobre Mi Madre Querida’. 
  • Tango22, from the collection ‘Tango22’ released in 2001, recorded by Jessica Ipkendanz and Hugo Alvarez in 2001; a tango with music composed by Hugo Alvarez.  

Tango in the 21st century (III)

This edition is the third in a series showcasing the modern manifestation of tango ensembles in Argentina. They are often up to a full orquesta tipica format of 10 or more musicians in size. Tango teaching has been instituted through university studies and through conservatoriums such as Escuela de Tango Emilio Balcarce to maintain and develop this aspect of Argentine culture. These institutions provide a training ground for young musicians in tango musical techniques as well as the styling of some of the great tango ensembles. And as well there is a stream of musicians that come together independently of these formal institutions, drawn by the possibility of income from tourism as well as by a love of tango music.  That’s this Sunday on Tango Capital, 7:00pm to 8:00pm:

Image: CD covers for the music acknowledged in the playlist.

PLAYLIST:

  • Mala Junta, meaning ‘Bad Company’; from the collection ‘De La Guardia Vieja’ released in 2005, recorded by Joaquín Amenabar in 2005; a tango with music composed by Julio De Caro & Pedro Laurenz in 1927 and lyrics by Juan Miguel Velich.  
  • Shusheta, meaning ‘The Aristocrat’, and also known as ‘El Aristócrata’; from the collection ‘De La Guardia Vieja’ released in 2005, recorded by Joaquín Amenabar in 2005; a tango with music composed by Juan Carlos Cobián in 1920 and lyrics by Enrique Cadícamo.  
  • Guardia Vieja, meaning ‘Old Guard’; from the collection ‘De La Guardia Vieja’ released in 2005, recorded by Joaquín Amenabar in 2005; a tango with music composed by Julio De Caro.  
  • La Viruta, from lunfardo; from the collection ‘Envasado En Origen’ released in 2001, recorded by Fernando Fierro in 2001; a tango with music composed by Vicente Greco in 1912 and lyrics by Ernesto Temes. The name is a reference to the strong emotions evoked by the bandoneón and expressed through on the dancefloor.  
  • Milonguero Viejo, meaning ‘Old Tango Dancer’, and also known as ‘Bailarín Porteño; Fresedo’; from the collection ‘Envasado En Origen’ released in 2001, recorded by Fernando Fierro in 2001; a tango with music composed by Carlos Di Sarli in 1926 and lyrics by Enrique Carrera Sotelo. Carlos Di Sarli dedicated this to Osvaldo Fresedo. 
  • Cuesta Abajo, meaning ‘Downhill’; from the collection ‘Envasado En Origen’ released in 2001, recorded by Fernando Fierro in 2001; a tango with music composed by Carlos Gardel in 1934 and lyrics by Alfredo La Pera.  
  • Ensueños, meaning ‘Dreams’; from the collection ‘Loca’ released in 2006, recorded by Orquesta La Excelsior in 2006; a tango with music composed by Carlos Di Sarli and lyrics by Enrique Cadícamo.  
  • Tu Pálida Voz, meaning ‘Your Pale Voice’; from the collection ‘Loca’ released in 2006, recorded by Orquesta La Excelsior in 2006; a vals composed in 1942 and lyrics by Homero Manzi.  
  • Boedo, from the collection ‘Loca’ released in 2006, recorded by Orquesta La Excelsior in 2006; a tango with music composed by Julio De Caro in 1928 and lyrics by Francisco Bautista Rimoli. The name is a reference to a working class suburb of that name in Buenos Aires..  
  • Nieblas Del Riachuelo, meaning ‘Fogs Of The Riachuelo’, and also known as ‘Niebla Del Riachuelo’; from the collection ‘Tango Contaminado’ released in 2010, recorded by Quinteto Negro La Boca in 2010; a tango with music composed by Juan Carlos Cobián in 1937 and lyrics by Enrique Cadícamo. The name is a reference to the Riachuelo River that empties into Rio Del Plata at the suburb of La Boca.  
  • Percal, meaning ‘Cotton’; from the collection ‘Tango Contaminado’ released in 2010, recorded by Quinteto Negro La Boca in 2010; a tango with music composed by Domingo Federico in 1943 and lyrics by Homero Expósito. The name is a reference to the cotton fabric widely used for women’s dresses.  
  • El Andariego, meaning ‘The Wanderer’; from the collection ‘Tango Contaminado’ released in 2010, recorded by Quinteto Negro La Boca in 2010; a tango with music composed by Alfredo J Gobbi.  
  • El Amanecer, meaning ‘The Dawn’; from the collection ‘Tango Bailable: The Roots Of Tango vol.1’ released in 2009, recorded by Orquesta Típica Buenos Aires in 2009; a tango with music composed by Roberto Firpo.  
  • La Morocha, meaning ‘The Dark-Haired Woman’; from the collection ‘Tango Bailable: The Roots Of Tango vol.1’ released in 2009, recorded by Orquesta Típica Buenos Aires in 2009; a tango with music composed by Enrique Saborido in 1905 and lyrics by Ángel Villoldo.  
  • Bien Porteña, from the collection ‘Tango Bailable: The Roots Of Tango vol.1’ released in 2009, recorded by Orquesta Típica Buenos Aires in 2009; a milonga with music composed by Enrique Alessio. The name is a reference to a woman of Buenos Aires, a “Porteña”.  
  • De Puro Curda, meaning ‘Completely Drunk’; from the collection ‘D’Arienzo En El Corazón’ released in 2018, recorded by Pablo Ramos & Los Heredos del Compás in 2018; a tango with music composed by Carlos Olmedo, lyrics by Abel Aznar & Hugo Di Carlo, and sung by Pablo Ramos. The name is a reference to Y.  
  • Andate Por Dios, meaning ‘Moving Towards God’; from the collection ‘D’Arienzo En El Corazón’ released in 2018, recorded by Pablo Ramos & Los Heredos in 2018; a tango with music composed by Eladio Blanco, lyrics by Raúl Hormaza, and sung by Pablo Ramos.  
  • De Igual A Igual, meaning ‘It’s All The Same’; from the collection ‘D’Arienzo En El Corazón’ released in 2018, recorded by Pablo Ramos & Los Heredos in 2018; a tango with music composed by Rodolfo Sciammarella, lyrics by Rodolfo Sciammarella, and sung by Pablo Ramos.  

Rodolfo Biagi

Last edition looked at the life of tango pianist extrordinaire Rodolfo Biagi, and this edition explores the recordings he made with his own orquesta. That’s this Sunday on Tango Capital, 7:00pm to 8:00pm:

Image:By se ignora – Publicado en la revista El Alma que Canta de noviembre de 1975, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6563778

Note: For nearly 3 years Biagi worked with Juan D’Arienzo, on whom the nickname “El Rey Del Compás” had been bestowed by the nightclub host Principe Cubano in the late 1920s. Biagi learned a lot from D’Arienzo’s business acumen, so when D’Arienzo sacked him and he went out on his own he realised the popular power of a nickname in the world of tango. I fear that no-one offered Biagi one, so he found a piece of music that would make a great nickname for a pianist such as himself, and started playing that as his signature tune – it was Manos Brujos and the fact that it was a foxtrot didn’t faze him at all! Unfortunately I have not been able to find a recording of Biagi playing Manos Brujos. and there is no record of any in the discographies. There is a version of the song sung by Biagi’s singer Hugo Duval that some dancers promote as being by Biagi, but the musical style leads me to think that it is actually by Trio Yumba, the Biagi cover band that Duval sang with after Biagi’s death.

PLAYLIST:

  • Amor Y Vals, meaning ‘Love And Waltz’; recorded by Rodolgo Biagi on 22 May 1942; a vals with music composed by Rodolfo Biagi, lyrics by Carlos Bahr, and sung by Alberto Lago.  
  • Gólgota, meaning ‘Golgotha’; recorded by Rodolgo Biagi on 19 August 1938; a tango with music composed by Rodolfo Biagi, lyrics by Francisco Gorrindo, and sung by Teófilo  Ibáñez .  
  • Deja El Mundo Como Está, meaning ‘Leave All As It Is’; recorded by Rodolgo Biagi on 14 March 1940; a tango with music composed by Rodolfo Biagi, lyrics by Rodolfo Sciammarella, and sung by Andrés  Falgás .  
  • Humillación , meaning ‘Humiliation’; recorded by Rodolgo Biagi on 15 March 1941; a tango with music composed by Rodolfo Biagi in 1941, lyrics by Carlos Bahr, and sung by Jorge Ortiz.  
  • Indiferencia, meaning ‘Indifference’; recorded by Rodolgo Biagi on 10 September 1942; a tango with music composed by Rodolfo Biagi in 1937, lyrics by Juan Carlos Thorry, and sung by Jorge Ortiz.   
  • Campo Afuera, meaning ‘Outdoor Space’; recorded by Rodolgo Biagi on 27 April 1939; a milonga with music composed by Rodolfo Biagi in 1939, lyrics by Homero Manzi, and sung by Teófilo  Ibáñez .  
  • Por La Huella, meaning ‘For The Mark’, and also known as ‘Por La Güeya; Por La Güella’; recorded by Rodolgo Biagi on 22 July 1948; a milonga with music composed by Rodolfo Biagi, lyrics by Homero Manzi, and sung by Carlos Saavedra.  
  • Magdala; recorded by Rodolgo Biagi on 24 January 1945; a tango with music composed by Rodolfo Biagi in 1944 and lyrics by Francisco Gorrindo. The name is a reference to the suffering of Mary Magdalene as a metaphor for a woman’s forgiveness  .  
  • Por Tener Un Corazón , meaning ‘To Have A Heart’; recorded by Rodolgo Biagi on 4 October 1951; a tango with music composed by Rodolfo Biagi, lyrics by Francisco Gorrindo, and sung by Hugo Duval.  
  • El Incendio, meaning ‘The Blaze’; recorded by Rodolgo Biagi on 19 August 1938; a tango with music composed by Arturo De Bassi, first recorded in 1911.  
  • Pura Clase, meaning ‘Pure Class’; recorded by Rodolgo Biagi on 13 July 1939; a tango with music composed by Adolfo Rosquella and lyrics by Adolfo Rosquella.  
  • Bélgica , meaning ‘Belgium’; recorded by Rodolgo Biagi on 20 January 1942; a tango with music composed by Enrique Delfino.  
  • Uno, meaning ‘One’; recorded by Rodolgo Biagi on 11 April 1944; a tango with music composed by Mariano Mores in 1943, lyrics by Enrique Santos Discépolo, and sung by Carlos Acuña .  
  • Tus Labios Me Dirán, meaning ‘Yours Lips Will Tell Me’; recorded by Rodolgo Biagi on 15 October 1945; a tango with music composed by Emilio Brameri, lyrics by Héctor Marcó, and sung by Alberto Amor.  
  • Soy Del Noventa, meaning ‘I Am Of The Nineties’, and also known as ‘Soy Del 90’; recorded by Rodolgo Biagi on 8 July 1943; a milonga with music composed by Tito Ribero, lyrics by Carlos Waiss, and sung by Carlos Acuña .  
  • Flor De Montserrat, meaning ‘Flower Of Monterrat’, and also known as ‘Pobre Negrito’; recorded by Rodolgo Biagi on 30 November 1945; a candombe with music composed by Juan Santini, lyrics by Vicente Planells del Campo, and sung by Alberto Amor.  
  • Racing Club, meaning ‘Racing Club’; recorded by Rodolgo Biagi on 13 September 1950; a tango with music composed by Vicente Greco, first recorded in 1916 and lyrics by Ernesto Temes.  
  • Caricias, meaning ‘Caresses’; recorded by Rodolgo Biagi on 30 July 1951; a tango with music composed by Juan Martí, first recorded in 1937, lyrics by Alfredo Bigeschi, and sung by Carlos Heredia.  
  • Espérame En El Cielo, meaning ‘Wait For Me In Heaven’; recorded by Rodolgo Biagi on 24 May 1958; a tango with music composed by Francisco López Vidal, first recorded in 1957, lyrics by Francisco López Vidal, and sung by Hugo Duval.  
  • Lagrimas Y Sonrisas, meaning ‘Tears And Smiles’; recorded by Rodolgo Biagi on 26 March 1941; a vals with music composed by Pascual De Gullo, first recorded in 1914 and lyrics by Francisco De Gullo.  

TangoMundo (2011-2016)

TangoMundo played a range of music in Melbourne and Canberra from 2011 to 2016 but the three musicians were primarily inspired by the works of Piazzolla, and this edition explores their spare, stripped down recordings of some tango nuevo classics. Piazzolla’s son remarks that his father would have approved. There is an introduction to the life and music of Manos Brujas – the “Magical Hands” of pianist Rodolfo Biagi, and a brief round-up of virtual tango events this week That’s this Sunday on Tango Capital, 7:00pm to 8:00pm:

Image: TangoMundo, from the cover of their 2014 CD Fracanapa.

PLAYLIST:

  • Barrio Tranquilo, meaning ‘Tranquil Suburb’; recorded by Pedro Laurenz on 4 October 1944; a tango with music composed by Arturo Gallucci, lyrics by Victorino Velazquez, and sung by Jorge Linares.  
  • Yuyo Verde, meaning ‘Green Weeds’ and also known as Callejón; recorded by Rodolfo Biagi on 24 January 1945; with music composed by Domingo Federico in 1944, lyrics by Homero Expósito, and sung by Jorge Ortiz.
  • El Tío Soltero, meaning ‘The Bachelor Uncle’; recorded by Juan Félix Maglio in 1924; a tango with music composed by Juan Félix Maglio, first recorded in 1917 and lyrics by José Perrusine Fernández.  
  • Aromas De Cairo, meaning ‘Scent Of Cairo’; recorded  on 1 April 1930; a vals with music composed by José María Aguilar, lyrics by José María Aguilar, and sung by Carlos Gardel.  
  • Rawson, recorded by Juan D’Arienzo on 3 September 1936; a tango with music composed by Eduardo Arolas, first recorded in 1917 and lyrics by Gabriel Clausi. The name is a reference to the Hospital Rawson in Barracas, Buenos Aires. Composed in honour of Dr Cleto Santa Coloma, Dr Juan C Aramburu, and Dr Pedro Sauré, who worked at the Hospital Rawson in Barracas.  It was written on the occasion of the fourth milonga of the 1917 spring festival. For all that history, the lyrics simply remember nostalgically a childhood kiss.
  • Lucienne; recorded by Rodolfo Biagi on 10 July 1946; a tango with music composed by Domingo Rullo, lyrics by Jorge   Fuentes, and sung by Alberto Amor.  
  • Humillación, meaning ‘Humiliation’; recorded by Rodolfo Biagi on 15 March 1941; a tango with music composed by Rodolfo Biagi in 1941, lyrics by Carlos Bahr, and sung by Jorge Ortiz.  
  • Oblivion, meaning ‘Oblivion’; from the collection ‘Todo Buenos Aires’ released in 2012, recorded by TangoMundo in 2012; a nuevo with music composed by Astor Piazzolla, first recorded in 1972, lyrics by Julian Clerc, and sung by Faye Bendrups.  
  • Jacinto Chiclana, from the collection ‘Fracanapa’ released in 2014, recorded by TangoMundo in 2014; a nuevo with music composed by Astor Piazzolla, first recorded in 1965, lyrics by Jorge Luís Borges, and sung by Faye Bendrups. The name is a reference to the name of an imaginary street-wise porteño, a man of Buenos Aires.  
  • Fracanapa, from the collection ‘Fracanapa’ released in 2014, recorded by TangoMundo in 2014; a nuevo with music composed by Astor Piazzolla, first recorded in 1963. The name is a reference to that cheerful character from the Commedia dell’Arte.  
  • Milonga Picaresque, meaning ‘Picaresque Milonga’; from the collection ‘Todo Buenos Aires’ released in 2012, recorded by TangoMundo in 2012; a nuevo with music composed by Astor Piazzolla, first recorded in 1991.  
  • Chiquilín De Bachín, from lunfardo, meaning ‘Waif of Bachín [Café]’; from the collection ‘Todo Buenos Aires’ released in 2012, recorded by TangoMundo in 2012; a nuevo with music composed by Astor Piazzolla in 1968, lyrics by Horacio Arturo Ferrer, and sung by Faye Bendrups.  
  • Libertango, meaning ‘Free Tango’; from the collection ‘Todo Buenos Aires’ released in 2012, recorded by TangoMundo in 2012; a nuevo with music composed by Astor Piazzolla, first recorded in 1974.  
  • Cruz Diablo, meaning ‘Devil’s Cross’; recorded  on 22 August 1927; a concierto with music composed by Rodolfo Biagi featuring Rodolfo Biagi on piano.