
Active listening will inspire you and improve your dancing. It will help you to improve your understanding of using movement dynamics and refining the quality of your dancing. Click below for interesting listening recommendations of less well known but still frequently played band leaders.
This week our three suggested names of Tango Orchestra leaders and their music to investigate are: Miguel Calo, Enrique Francini and Armando Pontier.
If you find a piece that you recognise the name, listen to it. How different is it to other versions you have heard. For example, A.Pontier’s ‘A la gran muñeca’ is very different to Carlos Di Sarli’s version. You can literally ‘walk’ through Di Sarli’s one, but Pontier’s has been described by some as very difficult to dance to. Or maybe one needs to develop some more skills of nuanced movements.
If you find a piece that you recognise the name, listen to it. How different is it to other versions you have heard. For example, A.Pontier’s ‘A la gran muñeca’ is very different to Carlos Di Sarli’s version. You can literally ‘walk’ through Di Sarli’s one, but Pontier’s has been described by some as very difficult to dance to. Or maybe one needs to develop some more skills of nuanced movements.
Miguel Calo, 1907-1972; recorded between 1932 and 1972.
- ‘Nostalgias’ (Nostalgia) 1936, singer Alberto Morel.
- ‘Yo soy el tango’ (I am tango) 1941, singer Alberto Podesta.
- (Vals) ‘Pedacito de cielo’ (Little piece of heaven) 1942, singer Alberto Podesta.
- ‘Los mareados’ (The drunken ones) 1950, singer Ricardo Blanco.
- (Milonga)’Azabache’ (Jet black semi precious stone) 1942, singer Raul Beron.
- ‘Al compas del corazon’ (To the beat of the heart) 1961, singer Lucho Gatica.
Note that M. Calo’s orchestra 1941-1945 included Enrique Francini on violin, and Armando Pontier on bandoneon.
Enrique Francini, 1916-1978; recorded between 1946 and 1973.
- ‘La cumparsita’ (The little procession) 1946, singer Alberto Podesta.
- ‘La yumba’ ( Any ideas? Composed by Osvaldo Pugliese and recorded by him in 1946. The title probably reflects the sound and feeling of the piece?) 1947.
- ‘El entrerriano’ (The man from the area between the two big rivers) 1952.
- ‘Esperame en el cielo’ (Wait for me in heaven) 1957, singer Roberto Rufino.
Armando Pontier, 1917-1983; recorded between 1955 and 1978.
- ‘La viruta’ (‘Shaving’ of wood, achieved for example in woodwork, or by excess wear of the dance floor!’) 1955.
- ‘A la gran muñeca’ (To the big doll) 1957.
- (milonga) ‘Azabache’ (Jet black semi precious stone) 1960, singer Julio Sosa.
- ‘Por una cabeza’ (Literally as in horse racing: ‘beaten’ by or ‘lost’ by a head), 1973, singer Ruben Juarez.
- ‘Nueve de Julio’ (9th of July 1816, Argentine independence day) 1975.
We always encourage you to take time to do your own research, and to just listen to, and watch various Argentine Tango musicians and dancers.
When searching try:
- Type name of orchestra leader.
- Type name of singer if there is one.
- Type name of tune.
- Type year if known
Then search. For example:
- Armando Pontier, ‘A la gran muñeca’ 1957.
- Miguel Calo & Alberto Podesta,’Pedacito de cielo’ (1942).
Or for more information about Tango musicians try: Todotango.com