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.
Motivo de vals is a Tango written by Carlos Bahr and composed by Horacio Salgán.
“Motivo de vals” (Reason for Waltz) poignantly captures a moment of nostalgic reflection, where the narrator finds himself revisiting a past love under the backdrop of a waltz. The lyrics suggest a scene where music revives buried memories, painting a touching picture of reminiscence and longing. As the waltz spins, old emotions and moments long faded into the background are momentarily brought back to life, implying that the waltz itself acts as a trigger for these buried feelings.
The waltz in “Motivo de vals” is heavily symbolic, representing both the passage of time and the circular, recurring nature of memories. Phrases like “como sobre un espejo gastado” (like on a worn mirror) reflect the distorted, yet persistent, image of the past that haunts the narrator. The music of the waltz, an “emotive voice” that speaks of a love both intimate and distant, serves as a bridge between the present and the past, heightening the sense of melancholy and yearning.
Recorded in 1948, post World War II, Argentina was experiencing significant social and political changes. During this era, Tango music often mirrored the public’s sentiment, expressing the collective melancholy and disillusionment of the times. “Motivo de vals” encapsulates this mood by using the waltz, a dance often associated with elegance and romance, to highlight a poignant, personal memory amidst a period of broader uncertainty and change.
Carlos Bahr was a prolific Argentine tango lyricist renowned for his emotionally charged and picturesque lyrics.