Orchestra of the month - 2 - D'Arienzo.

Orchestra of the month - 2 - D'Arienzo

D'Arienzo (1900-1976) gets a lot of criticism as his music is not sophisticated, indeed, described by some as hardly better than banging two saucepans together. However the Golden Age of tango music dates from 1935 and that is entirely due to D'Arrienzo and nobody else. He realised what the Porteños wanted and gave it to them and Buenos Aires danced. His music is intensely rhythmic and he justifies his title, El Rey de la Compas - the King of the Beat!

Rodolfo Biagi joined him on the piano and was loved for his brilliant playing. Some say Biagi left D'Arienzo amicably to further develop tango music and he did form his own band. There is a story that the crowd were appreciating Biagi's playing and directed their applause to him. He responded by taking a bow. That was not to D'Arrienzo's liking and  he is reported to have said "Señor Biagi, there is only one star in this orchestra, and it's me. You're fired!"

Michael Levocah has not written a book devoted to D'Arienzo (yet) but gives good coverage in "Tango Music Secrets".

There is a modern orchestra La Juan D'Arienzo, formed by the grandson of one who played in the original orchestra. Get to see them if you can and they give amazing musicality workshops.

We can compare the new and the old versions of a couple of classic tunes, Loca and Hotel Victoria.

There are wonderful YouTube videos of the original band. D'Arienzo loved the camera! Search in YouTube for Nada Mas or Loca and D'Arrienzo. You will not be disappointed to see the great man in action.