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.
Te conozco mascarita is a Tango written by Román Machado and composed by Ascanio Donato.
‘Te conozco mascarita’ translates to ‘I know you, little mask’ in English. The song paints a vivid narrative of a young woman, referenced as ‘mascarita’ or masked lady, who partakes in the revelry of the carnival, leaving behind her ailing mother at their humble ‘conventillo’ (tenement). This Tango juxtaposes the festive atmosphere of the carnival with the sobering responsibilities the protagonist evades. The mask serves both as a literal reference to the carnival attire and a metaphor for the facade people wear to escape or hide their realities.
The primary symbol in the song, the mask (‘mascarita’), represents deception or concealment. The lively carnival setting contrasts sharply with the burdensome reality of the protagonist’s home life, underscoring themes of escape and denial. The phrase ‘por el loco carnaval’ suggests that the young woman’s actions are driven by fleeting moments of joy which are, however profound but transient. Another potent symbol is the ‘conventillo’, pointing to her socio-economic background and possibly hinting at the communal living typical in poorer neighborhoods of Argentina during that period.
Recorded initially in 1930, this Tango emerges during a vibrant period in Argentine history where Tango music was a pivotal element of cultural expression, often mirroring societal issues and vivid personal narratives. 1930s Argentina was marked by political upheaval, and social expression through Tango offered an outlet for personal and collective identity. The revelry of the carnival could be seen as a metaphor for the country’s desire to mask its social and political strains.
Román Machado was a lyricist and playwright noted for his contributions to the Tango genre, encapsulating deep emotional and social contexts within his works.