(001) A History of Tango Music

(001) [Juan Maglio]

(Windows media file sample )
History of Tango has been discussed, thrashed out, argued, quarreled and disputed over forever and often enough.

Therefore this and the following postings are simply a personal reference on the Evolution of the Tango Music by recording samples which I like to share here with you.

Tango's evolution was driven forward by two interdependent forces of 'Orchestras' and The Recording Companies'. The early commercially recorded sounds and songs are best celebrated examples that we can refer to here.

These samples give many of us the best opportunity to understand how the tango music changed from simple melodies to reach the rich tapestry that has reached now through its journey of nearly a century.

The creativity of many composers combined with skilled players' abilities to excite and entertain many audiences, through live performances at the dance halls, theatre houses, and cinemas, were financially rewarded but the real fortunes were made possible by "the rights" payments from the Recording companies.

Juan Felix Maglio "Pacho" (1880-1934) is one of the most early and successful tango member of that group who benefitted from those rights. He became one of the leading early members of group who became better known as 'the Old Guard'.

Pacho is best know as a composer and lyricist. He lived through the development of the Bandoneon from 44 buttons, to 52, to 65, and finally completing with the full 75 buttons instrument. It is said that He may in fact be the inventor of the 142 tone layout. It was Maglio who also made the first solo bandoneon recordings in 1913.

His early recoded music is clearly a Tango, but the melodies are purely Neopolitan. His (78RPM) records were very popular, and a knowledge of his music is essential for understanding the history of the Tango.

24tango.