Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
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These Tangos, Valses, and Milongas were recorded around the same time. Take a look to discover what else this orchestra—or others—may have recorded during the same week or even on the exact same day.
El horizonte is a Tango written by Emilio Fresedo and composed by Roberto Firpo.
The lyrical content of “El horizonte” paints a picture of a world filled with superficial joy, symbolized by smoke and champagne, contrasting deeply with the pain of a suffering soul hidden within it. The narrative follows a persona who encounters a distraught woman, struggling with the betrayal of love. Offering comfort, the persona tries to persuade the woman to forget her past and the man who deceived her, emphasizing the futility of her sorrow if it is unreciprocated. The lyrics go on to reveal the depth of her anguish and the haunting presence of the past in her life, culminating in a shared moment of sorrow as the persona empathizes deeply with her plight.
The phrase “El horizonte” translates to “The Horizon” in English, symbolically representing the vast, unreachable distance, perhaps alluding to the elusive nature of true happiness or fulfillment. The lyric “between the smoke and glasses of champagne” contrasts the visible façade of celebration with the internal reality of sorrow, underlining the dualities that characterize human experience. “Ilusiones apagadas” (faded illusions) and “odio y ganas de vengar” (hatred and desire for revenge) further highlight the disillusionment and the resultant bitterness from betrayal.
Placed in Argentina during the late 1960s, a period marked by political and social turbulence, “El horizonte” might also reflect a collective sentiment of disillusionment and betrayal felt by the society. During this era, Argentina faced significant unrest, which could metaphorically parallel the personal betrayals and social disguises portrayed in the Tango. This temporal setting enriches the song’s emotional landscape, suggesting both personal and broader societal narratives of disappointment and the yearning for something better or more truthful beyond the immediate “horizon.”
Emilio Fresedo, an impactful figure in the history of Tango, was known for his poignant lyrics that often explored themes of love, betrayal, and societal issues.