Friday, 13 July 2012

Juan d'Arienzo - Tango Revolution

Orchestra: Juan d'Arienzo

Singers: Alberto Echagüe, Enrique Carbel, Instrumental

Period: 1935-1939

When you read about d'Arienzo, you might come across phrases like:"he returned music to the dancers", "he revolutionized tango music", "with d'Arienzo new era in tango music starts ", etc... I am not an expert, but I'm pretty sure that the people who wrote those statements, knew well what they were talking about :)

What I know for certain is that in 1935 something significant happened. When I go through my music collection in chronological order I have a feeling that all of the music before 1935 is somehow similar. That obviously does not mean that until that time nothing interesting was happening in the tango music scene. Lots of great orchestras were recording, each one with a particular style (especially Fresedo with his “Hollywood flavour"). But when I listen to the first recordings of d'Arienzo from 1935 they stand out significantly. Something has changed. It's like a breath of fresh air... There’s not point in writing much more. Just listen and judge yourself.

It's important to mention that Rodolfo Biagi was a pianist in d'Arienzo’s orchestra at that time (1935-1938). He did significantly contribute to the new, unique style.

The D'Arienzo from the 1930ies is nearly a MUST for every milonga. The recordings are very rhythmical and easy to dance. No matter what time played, a tanda of songs from that period will surely bring most of the dancers to the dance floor.

Alberto Echagüe was the main singer of the orchestra in the 1930ies. Enrique Carbel has recorded only one song: Paciencia. Only one song, but a great one. Another singer from that time was Walter Cabral: he did not record any tangos, but rather a few valses and a milonga.

Song examples:

9 de Julio, Orquesta Juan d'Arienzo, Instrumental, 1935

El Flete, Orquesta Juan d'Arienzo, Instrumental, 1936
Bailan Octavio Fernandez - Corina Herrera
Bailan Chicho - Juana Sepulvera
Bailan Federico Naveira - Ines Muzzopappa

Ataniche, Orquesta Juan d'Arienzo, Instrumental, 1936
Bailan Federico Naveira - Ines Muzzopappa

Paciencia, Orquesta Juan d'Arienzo, Canta Enrique Carbel, 1937

Pensalo Bien, Orquesta Juan d'Arinezo, Canta Alberto Echagüe, 1938
Bailan Sebastian Arce - Mariana Montes
Bailan Pablo Veron - Teresa Cunha
Bailan Oscar Casas - Mary Ann Casas, Osky Casas - Luisa Pasierkowska

Nada Mas, Orquesta Juan d'Arinezo, Canta Alberto Echagüe, 1938

La Bruja, Orquesta Juan d'Arinezo, Canta Alberto Echagüe, 1938
Bailan Nestor Ray - Patricia Garcia

No Mientas, Orquesta Juan d'Arinezo, Canta Alberto Echagüe, 1938


  1. On the Day of Judgement early D'Arienzo is going to be played to resurrect the dead..

    Some more videos:

    Ansiedad - Maximiliano Gluzman and Heather Whitehead:

    Pensalo Bien - Oscar&Osky Casas with Mary Ann Casas and Luisa Pasierowska.

    La Bruja - Nestor Ray and Patricia Garcia:

  2. A minor remark: Enrique Carbel indeed had a great voice, too bad he was mostly singing on the radio and only recorded very few songs. When I tried to hunt down one of his recordings with Hector Maria Artola a couple of months ago I bumped into his "Charlemos" and "En un beso la vida" with Horacio Salgan. Great singing, although they are not very dancable (although En un beso is a bordeline case for a late night tanda).

  3. I would like to add my favourite El Flete perfomance

    El Flete - Federico Naveira and Ines Muzzopappa:

    1. Talking of El Flete :)

      Here is another favorite to No mientas:

      Many if not most milonguero-style demonstrations are delivered to D'Arienzo..

    2. Thanks to both of you for your comments and videos. I have included them in the text of the posts...