Tango Mahi “Tanda of the Week” is by Orquesta Tipica Osvaldo Fresedo with vocalist Ricardo Ruiz
1939 “Viejo Farolito” (Old lantern)
1941 “Hablemos Claramente” (Let’s talk clearly)
1941 “Buscándote” (Looking for you)
Osvaldo Fresedo took up the bandoneon as a teenager, played in a trio with his brother from 1913 (aged 16), recorded with Roberto Firpo and Francisco Canaro in 1917, set up his own group in 1918 with Canaro and Julio De Caro on violins, recorded with Carlos Gardel, became so popular by 1927 he had five orquestas performing simultaneously at venues across Buenos Aires, including one led by Carlos Di Sarli on piano.
Through the late 1920s and early 1930s he spent time in Paris and in New York where he appeared as a guest conductor of the New York Symphony Orchestra. Fresedo was really progressive in many ways including his use of the harp, vibraphone, percussion and other instruments not previously used for tango.
He and his orquestas performed for over 60 years; much longer than any other of the recognised tango orchestras.
The tanda comprises three songs from the 1939 to 1941 period featuring Roberto Ruiz, including “Hablemos Claramente (which Fresedo composed) and one of my favourites “Buscandote”. In all three songs, listen out for Fresedo’s signature harp sounds, which make Fresedo’s recordings of the period particularly recognisable.
Here is a very old clip of the orquesta performing Buscandote (with a harp among the instruments).
There are also many clips of dance maestros performing choreographed and improvised interpretations of Buscandote, including by Alejandra Martiñan & Aonekin Quiroga, Sebastian Achaval & Roxana Suarez, and many others.
