For the second tanda of the year, I put together a set of tangos recorded by Lucio Demare with Horacio Quintana. Demare—first and foremost a superb pianist—carved out a distinctly romantic place for himself in the tango world through his elegant arrangements.
Lucio Demare’s music blended refined elegance with deep emotional warmth. Born in Buenos Aires in 1906, he began his career in the vibrant early tango scene, working alongside major figures like Francisco Canaro and Lucien Lucía. His orchestra, active mainly in the 1930s and 1940s, became known for its lyrical phrasing, delicate piano lines, and a subtly romantic atmosphere that set it apart from the harder-edged styles of the era. Demare’s compositions—such as Malena, Tal vez será su voz, and Solamente ella—remain iconic for their poetic sensibility, securing his place as one of the essential voices of the Golden Age.
Even though he didn’t record many instrumentals, I spent quite a while debating whether this week’s tanda should focus on them. But since only a handful of his instrumental pieces work well in a milonga setting, I decided to go with his recordings featuring Horacio Quintana instead.
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