Francisco Canaro

Francisco Canaro (1888–1964) was a pioneering violinist, composer, and orchestra leader whose career helped define tango as both popular dance music and a concert art. Canaro’s orchestras combined elegant arrangements with rhythmic clarity, producing some of tango’s earliest recordings and hits such as Criollazo, Milonga Criolla (milonga) and El Dia Que Te Fuiste (vals). Known for incorporating new instruments — like Hawaiian guitar and novelty effects — he constantly experimented with sound, keeping his orchestra modern and appealing to dancers of his time.

Canaro’s recorded legacy is enormous, with over 3,000 recordings spanning from the 1910s to the 1950s. 

DJ opinion: Francisco Canaro recorded more tangos than anyone else. His early tracks, before the D’Arienzo storm, are among the most beautiful—simple in rhythm yet deeply touching. Their steady beat makes them especially easy for older dancers, while their emotional simplicity can rival the complexity of more sophisticated orchestras. With his vast collection, there’s always a suitable choice for any occasion.

Disclaimer about playlist generation.

• Francisco Canaro 1926-1934

• Francisco Canaro 1926-1934 - Milongas

• Francisco Canaro 1926-1934 - Valses

• Francisco Canaro 1935-1973

• Francisco Canaro 1935-1973 - Milongas

• Francisco Canaro 1935-1973 - Valses