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.
Silencio is a Tango written by Alfredo Le Pera and composed by Carlos Gardel.
“Silencio” emerged in the context of 1959 Argentina, a period of great political and social changes. Literally translating to “Silence” in English, the tango delves deep into the poignant realms of war and personal sacrifice against a backdrop of deep night-time stillness. Through gentle and vivid storytelling, Le Pera portrays a stark contrast between the hush of nocturnal calm and the turbulence of lives impacted by war. The central narrative revolves around a mother whose sons go to war in France, only to never return, leaving her with nothing but medals and memories.
The silence mentioned in the title symbolizes the stillness of the night but also represents the hushed voices of those who suffered or were lost. The juxtaposition of ‘silence’ with the mother’s lullaby and the eventual noise of war emphasizes how peace and violent disruption coexist. Key phrases like “el músculo duerme, la ambición trabaja” (the muscle sleeps, the ambition works) and “Silencio en la noche. Ya todo está en calma” (Silence in the night. Now everything is calm) convey a deep irony, contrasting everyday tranquility with the restless undercurrents of human endeavors and conflicts.
During the 1950s, Argentina was experiencing national reorganization and significant social changes. It was a time marked by political strife and the revival of cultural expressions. “Silencio” can be interpreted as both a reflection on the universal truths about wars’ impacts on families, particularly mothers, and a commentary on the specific historical experiences of Argentine soldiers during global conflicts like World War I, noted in the reference to “los campos de Francia” (the fields of France). The line “Y la viejecita de canas muy blancas se quedó muy sola,” highlighting a mother left alone with white hair, symbolizes a nation’s collective mourning and the personal grieving of mothers who lost their sons.
Alfredo Le Pera was an Argentinean lyricist, recognized mainly for his frequent collaborations with the famed tango composer Carlos Gardel.