Calla Bandoneon by Oscar Rubens

Calla Bandoneon is a Tango written by Oscar Rubens and composed by Carlos Lázzari.

Story behind the Tango Calla Bandoneon

The tango “Calla Bandoneon” reflects a poignant narrative anchored by nostalgia and the pain of separation. The mention of the Bandoneon, an instrument synonymous with tango, symbolizes the conduit of the protagonist’s emotions. The repeated plea for silence, “Calla, bandoneon!”, underscores a desire to stifle the painful memories evoked by the music. As the lyrics unfold, they depict a love story that began vibrantly in a dance setting where declarations of love were made, only to end in sorrowful parting.

Symbolism of Calla Bandoneon

The Bandoneon in this piece is heavily symbolic, representing both the beauty and tragedy of love. Its voice, initially sweet and enchanting, turns sorrowful, mirroring the transition from joy to heartbreak in the relationship. If the opening verses pleading the bandoneon to stay quiet suggest an attempt to escape the pain, the narrative connection to love’s joy and then its painful withdrawal highlights how inseparable love and pain can be in the tender echo of tango music. The “tango bien tristón” or very sad tango in the lyrics emphasizes the deep melancholy experienced by the speaker.

Calla Bandoneon in Historic Context

“Calla Bandoneon” was penned during the mid-20th century, a period when tango was a deep-seated cultural practice in Argentina, reflective of broader societal emotions and personal expressions. The post-war era was full of displacements and rearrangements, perhaps contributing to the themes of love and loss in the tango. Music often served as a voice for the unspoken challenges and sorrows of everyday people, and the call to silence the bandoneon can be seen as a wish to mute the persistent pain of change and loss.

Oscar Rubens

Oscar Rubens was an instrumental figure in Argentine tango, with a flair for infusing deep emotional character in his lyrics.