EL CHOCLO - Tango @ Seattle Arboretum
On November 3, 1905, the upper class clientele of the exclusive Restaurante Americano gathered as ususal listen to pianist Jose Luis Roncallo and his classical orchestra play. A few days earlier, Angel Villoldo had shown to Roncallo the melody of a Tango he had just composed. It was by far the best Villoldo had written but Roncallo fretted at the idea of playing a Tango for the "creme-de-la creme" of Buenos Aires society dining at the Restaurante Americano. Yet, the sound of the unnamed tune was so compelling that Roncallo decided to sneak it by disguised as a "danza criolla", a Creole dance. And so, he did on that balmy evening of November 3, 1905. The name had been decided by Villoldo, who named it El choclo, the ear of corn, because "I loved it from the very first note, and for me the ear of corn is the tastiest ingredient of the 'puchero', a meat and vegetables stew ..." The "puchero" reference reflected Villoldo's hope that the success of the Tango would bring food to his table. To earn a living was commonly referred to as earning the "puchero." An appropriate name for an undercover Tango being premiere at a restaurant. =================== Con este tango que es burlon y compadrito se ato dos alas la ambicion de mi suburbio; con este tango nacio el tango y como un grito salio del sordido barrial buscando el cielo; conjuro extraño de un amor hecho cadencia que abrio caminos sin mas luz que la esperanza, mezcla de rabia de dolor, de fe, de ausencia llorando en la inocencia de un ritmo jugueton. Por tu milagro de notas agoreras, nacieron sin pensarlo, las paicas y las grelas, luna en los charcos, canyengue en las caderas, y un ansia fiera en la manera de querer... Al evocarte... tango querido. siento que tiemblan las baldosas de un bailongo y oigo el rezongo de mi pasado ... Hoy que no tengo... mas a mi madre... siento que llega en punta'e pie para besarme cuando tu canto nace al son de un bandoneon. Carancanfunfa se hizo al mar con tu bandera y en un 'perno'' mezclo a Paris con Puente Alsina. Fuiste compadre del gavion y de la mina y hasta comadre del bacan y la pebeta. Por vos shusheta, cana, reo y mishiadura se hicieron voces al nacer con tu destino, misa de faldas, querosen, tajo y cuchillo, que ardio en los conventillos y ardio en mi corazon!
On November 3, 1905, the upper class clientele of the exclusive Restaurante Americano gathered as ususal listen to pianist Jose Luis Roncallo and his classical orchestra play. A few days earlier, Angel Villoldo had shown to Roncallo the melody of a Tango he had just composed. It was by far the best Villoldo had written but Roncallo fretted at the idea of playing a Tango for the "creme-de-la creme" of Buenos Aires society dining at the Restaurante Americano. Yet, the sound of the unnamed tune was so compelling that Roncallo decided to sneak it by disguised as a "danza criolla", a Creole dance. And so, he did on that balmy evening of November 3, 1905. The name had been decided by Villoldo, who named it El choclo, the ear of corn, because "I loved it from the very first note, and for me the ear of corn is the tastiest ingredient of the 'puchero', a meat and vegetables stew ..." The "puchero" reference reflected Villoldo's hope that the success of the Tango would bring food to his table. To earn a living was commonly referred to as earning the "puchero." An appropriate name for an undercover Tango being premiere at a restaurant. =================== Con este tango que es burlon y compadrito se ato dos alas la ambicion de mi suburbio; con este tango nacio el tango y como un grito salio del sordido barrial buscando el cielo; conjuro extraño de un amor hecho cadencia que abrio caminos sin mas luz que la esperanza, mezcla de rabia de dolor, de fe, de ausencia llorando en la inocencia de un ritmo jugueton. Por tu milagro de notas agoreras, nacieron sin pensarlo, las paicas y las grelas, luna en los charcos, canyengue en las caderas, y un ansia fiera en la manera de querer... Al evocarte... tango querido. siento que tiemblan las baldosas de un bailongo y oigo el rezongo de mi pasado ... Hoy que no tengo... mas a mi madre... siento que llega en punta'e pie para besarme cuando tu canto nace al son de un bandoneon. Carancanfunfa se hizo al mar con tu bandera y en un 'perno'' mezclo a Paris con Puente Alsina. Fuiste compadre del gavion y de la mina y hasta comadre del bacan y la pebeta. Por vos shusheta, cana, reo y mishiadura se hicieron voces al nacer con tu destino, misa de faldas, querosen, tajo y cuchillo, que ardio en los conventillos y ardio en mi corazon!