Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
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.
Melodia oriental is a Tango written by Enrique Cadícamo and composed by Juan Carlos Howard.
The lyrics of “Melodia oriental” depict a poignant scene of reminiscence and lost love, conveyed through a nostalgic memory narrated by the speaker. Initially, the setting is a dawn in Paris inside an old café, accompanied by a specific melody, rain, smoking, and drinking, creating an atmosphere filled with both intimacy and the foreboding sense of an ending. This melody becomes a significant emotional anchor throughout the piece, symbolizing both the cherished moments shared and the pain of separation that follows.
The tango’s title, “Melodia oriental,” directly translates to “Oriental Melody” in English, which potentially reflects the allure and exoticism associated with the East from a Western perspective during the mid-20th century. This reference could symbolize the enigmatic and mysterious nature of the past relationship. The repeated melody playing on a violin integrates this theme into the narrative, the violin’s sadness augmenting the haunting, lingering influence of past love. This melody serves as a vehicle for memory, continually bringing the protagonist back to his lost love, suggested through descriptive phrases such as “a terrible mist of memories.”
Considering the song was penned and first performed in Argentina in 1957, its sentimental and emotive narrative fits within the broader cultural context of tango music, often characterized by themes of nostalgia, lost love, and melancholy. The aftermath of World War II still lingered dramatically in the global consciousness, and indeed in the historically Paris-centric themes of art and loss, adding layers of universal resonance to the intensely personal memory described in Cadícamo’s lyrics.
Enrique Cadícamo was a renowned Argentine poet and tango lyricist, whose prolific contributions to the tango genre have left a lasting impact. His works often delve into themes of love, betrayal, and nostalgia.