Roberto Firpo
When it comes to tracking the evolution of tango in the first part of the 20th century, the name of Roberto Firpo is equalled in importance only by Francisco Canaro.
Firpo is also extremely important as a composer. Iconic tracks such as El amanecer as well as less familiar works such as Didi stem from his pen.
Firpo's sound and style can most easily be described as D'Arienzo unplugged, but in reality it is the tango milonga par excellence - not tango milonga in the sense we understand it today, but in its original sense: a tango that is designed for dancers rather than singers (tango canción), posssessed of a strong, rich and varied rhythm, and the prototype of the tango of the 1940s. There is no singer in these old recordings (and even in some of the much later ones) - rhythm is everything.
Firpo belonged firmly throughout his career to the guardia vieja, the old guard. In 1930 he retired and sought to make a living as a cattle baron, buying an estancia on the Argentine pampas. The venture was a disaster and Firpo was forced to return to music
Firpo's recordings are well represented on Reliquias and there are also 3 cds and one double album on El Bandoneón.
Roberto Firpo - De la guardia vieja
EMI 837577
Firpo's versions of Ataniche, El llorón and El esquinazo are simply the best.
normal UK selling price: n/a (Argentine import)
our price: £9
Track list
- El esquinazo milonga
- El llorón tango-milonga
- Felicia
- Desde el alma
- La payanca
- Atanaiche
- El choclo
- Noche calurosa vals
- La cunmparsita
- Hotel Victoria
- Rodríguez Peña
- Olga vals
- Sábado inglés
- El entrerriano
- Champagne tango
- El aeroplano vals
- El internado
- Lágrimas
- La morocha
- Germaine
Roberto Firpo - Tangazos de Antaño
EMI 541727
Firpo's orchestra from 1935-1936. Fantastically inventive versions of Fuegos artificiales and La carcajada - an important cd that deserves to be more widely played.
normal UK selling price: n/a (Argentine import)
our price: £9
Track list
- El amanecer
- Fuegos artificiales
- Barreras de amor
- Homero
- Vea vea
- Atardecer campero
- En la breacha
- Didi
- Entre los ceibos
- Quejas
- Arrepentido
- A media luz
- Dulce perdón
- Chola
- No quiero verte llorar
- Angustias del corazón
- La carcajada
- Desconsuelo
- Volver a vernos
- Petit gris
I want everything
Here's the full list on Reliquias (6 discs):
- EMI 837577 Roberto Firpo - De la guardia vieja (1996)
- EMI 499979 Roberto Firpo - De la guardia vieja vol.2 (1999)
- EMI 529133 Roberto Firpo - Tangos y Valsecitos (2000)
- EMI 529433 Quinteto Pirincho / Roberto Firpo - Las milongas más milongas (2000)
- EMI 541699 Roberto Firpo - De La guardia Vieja vol.3 (2002)
- EMI 541727 Roberto Firpo - Tangazos de antaño (2002)
- EMI 595156 Roberto Firpo - Tangos y Valsecitos vol.2 (2003)
Where next...
- Back to building a library
- Milonga home page
