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.
Me llamo Anselmo Contreras is a Tango written by Cátulo Castillo and composed by Miguel Nijensohn.
The lyrics of “Me llamo Anselmo Contreras” tell the melancholic narrative of a simple man named Anselmo Contreras who introduces himself and his modest livelihood as a cattle herder. Anselmo contrasts his current life, filled with the absence of luxuries and assets, against his past life wherein he owned ranches, cattle, and even had a beloved wife. The lyrics poignantly reflect his losses and a sense of identity rooted in his past possessions and social role.
The song utilizes personal items such as “mi acero” (my steel) and “virolas de plata” (silver rings) as symbols of Anselmo’s identity and honor. These items signify not just wealth but also personal worth and reputation in the rural context of the tango. The lament over lost lands and loved ones underscores the message of transience and loss. “Sombra que sopla y se va” (shadow that blows away) symbolizes life’s fleeting nature, enveloped in unpredictability and solitude.
Written in 1946 post World War II, Argentina was undergoing significant social and economic changes. The emergence of Peronism had begun reshaping the landscape of Argentinian identity and labor relations. This song subtly captures the essence of this transitional period, focusing on personal narratives within broader societal shifts. Anselmo’s narrative reflects the plight of many who felt dispossessed and marginalized in the face of modernizing forces and changing social structures.
Cátulo Castillo was a prominent figure in Argentine music, especially known for his deep and evocative tango lyrics that often explored themes of nostalgia, loss, and love.