[Tango-L] Bandoneon's Complaints

[Alberto Gesualdi]

pHIL

Wail/ Wailing is more related to mourning , or to religious music. Now I am thinking of a spiritual sung by choirs, Soon a will be done , a negro spiritual , that in a part says "Soon-a will be done a-with the troubles of the world. Goin' home to live with God. No more weeping and a-wailing. No more weeping and a-wailing "

This tango masterpiece was written by Juan de Dios Filiberto , and later came widely known with Anibal Troilo, Pichuco.

Being instrumental, there is no further reference or hint without lyric, to know what Mr Filiberto have in mind to put this title to his instrumental tango.

However, it could be considered, my opinion, being this tango the first "urban" or city based ( since previous compositions of Filiberto were more "ourtskirts" areas or prairies , what are called melodies " camperas) , that Filiberto wanted to translate some kind of complain for things lost , or left behind due to the growth of the city of Buenos Aires , more inhabitants , etc.. Filiberto was italian , inmigrant ,and have some difficulty to play piano , his instrument, due to several physical work he have to do to earn a living. His hands then, came a bit harmed . But he directed anyway, an orchestra, write fundational tangos, or tangos for ever.


Troilo I think, take this tune from Filiberto and make an arrangemente for Bandoneon, using the left hand that is the area of grave notes , more than the right hand that is for high notes, with the special style Troilo introduce to "slow" the tempo when oplaying, and then jump brightly to a sequence of high notes very dinamic.


In that sense, the grave notes of the bandoneon on this tango , could be considered as a complaint.

It sound also, in muy opinion, as a countepart of grave voices, a kind of duetto of opera, where the high notes played by the bandoneon are sopranos or tenor voices, and the grave notes contralto or bass voices.


everything is possible :)


warm regards
alberto 

--- El lun 6-sep-10, Phil Seyer <professionalsguild at gmail.com> escribió:

> De: Phil Seyer <professionalsguild at gmail.com>
> Asunto: [Tango-L] Bandoneon's Complaints
> Para: tango-l at mit.edu
> Fecha: lunes, 6 de septiembre de 2010, 22:00
> Was wondering if anyone has an idea
> about meaning behind the tango tune
> entitled Quejas de Bandoneon. It literally means
> Bandoneon's Complaints.
> 
> Perhaps "the wail of the Bandoneon?"
> Wail means to cry softly or make a sad sound -- I've heard
> wail used in a
> different sense, too, meaning to improvise a dramatic
> musical riff.
> 
> Other ideas?
> 
> Phil
> http://www.tangovideos.ning.com
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