Wednesday 17 October 2012

Rodolfo Biagi - Overview


If you ask DJs or dancers to give an example of orchestras playing good, rhythmical music in most cases the first choice will be Juan d'Arienzo, the second Rodolfo Biagi. I think this is the correct answer, for Biagi to be just after d'Arienzo :). I love Biagi's music. When I hear any of his songs in a milonga, I immediately start searching for a partner to dance it :).

Biagi has worked with many famous musicians like Juan Maglio "Pacho", Carlos Gardel, Juan Canaro. In 1935 he joined the orchestra of Juan d'Arienzo. It was a very important moment. His integration to D'Arienzo's orchestra influenced his own musical future, and at the same time had an impact on d'Arienzo's style, which set a new direction for the tango music! Guardia Vieja period had finished, Golden Age had started. Biagi left d'Arienzo's orchestra in 1938 to set-up his own orchestra.


Amongst Biagi's recordings, one can find a wide and diverse selection of music. His tangos from the early period (1938 - 1945) are faster and very rhythmic. Later (1946 - 1962) they are still rhythmic, but slower and much more melodic. His valses are great and should not be missed in any tango event! My favorite ones are Viejo Portón and Paloma. As far as I know there are only 7 milongas available on CDs. But there are real pearls. One of them, possibly the best milonga of all times: Flor De Monserrat.

For more detailed biographical and discographical information please go to:
Todo Tango - Rodolfo Biagi

In the next post I will start from presenting Biagi's valses....

No comments:

Post a Comment