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.
Negra María is a Tango written by Homero Manzi and composed by Lucio Demare.
“Negra María” is a poignant narrative that lyrically unfolds the short, tragic life of María, from her birth to her premature death. Manzi skillfully uses the progression of time and life events to paint a touching story filled with cultural and personal insights. The lyrics open with María’s birth, highlighted by the hopeful joy that surrounds a newborn. It transitions into the celebration of her fifteenth birthday, an important cultural milestone in Hispanic countries celebrated as a “quinceañera”, symbolizing her transition into womanhood. Sadly, the story takes a tragic turn as María dies unexpectedly, her future unfulfilled. The description of her funeral contrasts sharply with the earlier festive imagery, ending with a lament for her unexperienced youth.
The term “Negra María” itself encapsulates powerful symbolism, with “Negra” possibly referring to María’s personal or familial heritage, often a term of endearment within Latin American cultures. The cyclical nature of joy and sorrow is mirrored in the mention of “Carnaval,” a festival known for its vibrant celebration of life juxtaposed against the somber reality of María’s untimely death during the same festival. The repeated call, “Te llamaremos, Negra María…,” evokes a communal recognition of her identity and story, lending a collective voice to the narrative. Musical elements such as “guitarras,” “violines,” and “bandoneón” enrich the cultural texture, symbolizing the emotional and cultural resonance of Tango music in expressing complex human emotions.
Created in 1941 by Homero Manzi, a time of significant political and social changes in Argentina, “Negra María” reflects the intertwining of personal stories with broader cultural dynamics. This period was marked by the rise of nationalism and a deepening of cultural identity within Argentina. Manzi, through the lens of a personal tragedy, perhaps critiques or highlights the unnoticed sufferings of everyday people amidst broader national concerns. The poignant themes of life, celebration, and sudden loss could reflect the uncertainties and turbulence of the era, resonating deeply with an audience living through these changing times.
Homero Manzi was a renowned Argentine lyricist, famous for his influential Tangos that often captured the soul of Buenos Aires and the nuanced stories of its people.