Episode 20

In tango culture, La Cumparsita holds a special place as the traditional closing piece at every milonga. Its unmistakable opening bars signal the end of the night, drawing dancers to the floor for one final, often bittersweet, embrace. This ritual isn’t just about finishing the evening — it’s about honoring a piece of music that has become inseparable from the heart of the tango community.

La Cumparsita is one of the most iconic and widely recognized tangos ever written. Composed in 1916 by Uruguayan musician Gerardo Matos Rodríguez, it has rightfully earned the title of the anthem of tango. Interestingly, it was originally conceived as a march, but Argentine pianist Roberto Firpo transformed it into a tango by blending in melodic phrases from his own works and Verdi’s Miserere. Premiering in 1917 at Café La Giralda in Montevideo, the piece swiftly gained popularity, and the addition of Pascual Contursi’s lyrics in 1924 helped cement its place as a tango masterpiece.

It is reputed to be the most recorded tango of all time, with estimates suggesting over 2,700 versions across decades and styles — a testament to its universal, timeless appeal. But for us tango DJs and dancers, we are especially captivated by the unforgettable interpretations from the great tango orquestas. To close the night I chose version from four grand orquestas:

• Juan D’Arienzo, 1943

• Carlos Di Sarli, 1951

• Aníbal Troilo, 1963

• Osvaldo Pugliese, 1989

Each version not only reflects the unique spirit and character of its orchestra but also amplifies the avalanche of emotions we experience as dancers in those final moments of the night — nostalgia, joy, longing, and a quiet promise to return.

And so, as we reach the close of this Tango DJ Secrets chapter, I want to leave you with this thought: every ending in tango carries within it the seed of a new beginning. Just as the last tanda of a milonga leaves you dreaming of the next dance, the end of this series opens the door for something new.

I haven’t yet decided what that next journey will be — but if you want me to continue, if you’re curious where the music might take us next, don’t hesitate to let me know.

Thank you for dancing through this chapter with me. 

#tango, #TangoArgentino, #tangodancer, #milonga, #milonguero, #tangodj