Rodolfo Biagi
Rodolfo Biagi
(March 14, 1906 – September 24, 1969)
"To succeed in shaping a unique style and an unmistakable personality, within a very simple musical fashion, is a great achievement. This is the case of Rodolfo Biagi, who was born in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of San Telmo." Jorge Palacio
It's easy to recognize Biagi at a milonga, because of the beautiful piano interludes in his tangos. His music creates a beautiful tango dance, as seen in the accompanying video of Biagi's "Racing Club."
Rudolph Biagi began playing the piano at a young age. When he was 15, he found a job playing background music for silent movies in Buenos Aires. It was there that a local tango orchestra leader heard him play. He was so impressed that he approached Biagi to play for his tango orchestra. Thus began Biagi's love of tango.
In 1930, Biagi received an offer to accompany Carlos Gardel. He recorded several tangos with Gardel on the Odeon label including “Viejo smoking”, “Buenos Aires” and “Aquellas farras.” Gardel asked him to join him on tour, but Biagi declined.
"As for my style, I always longed to place the piano at a different level than the one used by the average orquesta típica. A mere accompaniment. So when I joined D’Arienzo I succeeded in making it happen. I was with D’Arienzo from December 1935 until June 1938."
He played piano for several tango orchestras, including the orchestra of Juan d'Arienzo from 1935 to 1938, and is often partly credited with the development of d'Arienzo's rhythmic style.
He later formed his own orchestra. His music became very popular during the Golden Age, as his lively piano interludes and the special rhythmic qualities of his music were easily recognizable. (Álvarez)
In the early fifties, his orchestra was the first to appear on Argentine television. By that time, he was featured on the famous program Glostora tango club on Radio El Mundo. (Palacio)
The last time Biagi performed in public was on August 2, 1969 at the Hurlingham Club. On September 24, 1969, he passed away unexpectedly.
References
Álvarez, Carlos, "Biagi - Interview with Rodolfo Biagi in 1960, " Todotango.com, http://www.todotango.com/english/history/chronicle/286/Biagi-Interview-to-Rodolfo-Biagi-in-1960/ (accessed July 25, 2018)
Palacio, Jorge, "Biography of Rodolfo Biagi," Todotango.com, http://www.todotango.com/english/artists/biography/98/Rodolfo-Biagi/ (accessed August 3, 2018).
Wikipedia contributors, "Rodolfo Biagi," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rodolfo_Biagi&oldid=802539176 (accessed July 25, 2018).