In Strangers' Arms

Notes of the 3 classes I missed from History of Tango in the Twenties

A reading of his class notes, which Binda graciously gave me to catch up with the material I missed, clarifies the main point of the 9-18 lecture. In spite of his great respect for De Caro, our teacher emphasizes that many “innovations” attributed to De Caro (i.e. introduction of solo instrumentals) were already present in Fresedo’s recordings in 1922. The same applies to “contracantos” of violin; Firpo had introduced them in 1913 before De Caro did. Binda also demonstrates that “acompanamiento armonizado” in the hands of Cobian during his work with Fresedo in 1922, and to some extent in Delfino 1920 precedes De Caro.

Fresedo is an example of “a style rich in colors, alternating solo passages with pianissimos and tuttis in excellent concurrence.”

Tags: Music