Today's Tango Is... Chiqué - Francisco Lomuto 16-07-1927

CHIQUÉ – Tango – Francisco Lomuto 16-07-1927
The Story of Chiqué is on video notes. (Show More)
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Music: Ricardo Brignolo, 1920

The Surprising Story of Chiqué

During the period of immigration to Buenos Aires in the latter part of the 19th and early years of the 20th Century, approximately 50% of the immigrants were Italian, hence the high proportion of Italian names of tango composers, lyricists, musicians and orchestra leaders. Yet, roughly 20% of the immigrants were French and with, as a result of immigration, men outnumbering women in Buenos Aires by a ratio of 50:1, among those were a number of French prostitutes and pimps. French and French patois or slang expressions became the common language of that area of work. The expression “chiqué” or in the infinitive form ‘chiquer’ derives from that slang and means ‘to lie and pretend or simulate’; presumably enjoyment with particular references to dancing, socialising or sex.

Between 1943 and 1949, the military government of Argentina imposed censorship and so it was forbidden for tango lyrics to have reference to any form of immorality, including drinking, drug taking or prostitution. During those years, the tango’s title “Chiqué” was changed “El Elegante” and the more general meaning of chique or elegant.

Musicologists believe that the final version was developed with contributions from Juan Carlos Cobián but most especially from the German cellist, Fritz, who added the beautiful violin counterpoint that defines “Chiqué” in a number of versions.

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[horaciolobo]

La publicación de las versiones del tango CHIQUÉ de Ricardo Luís Brignolo de 1929 y la de Francisco Lomuto de 1927, son de una calidad interpretativa antológica, tanto en el conjunto como en los solos instrumentales. La nitidéz de estas grabaciones es superlativa. En fín para los viejos tangueros de ley es una alegría escuchar estas joyas musicales.Gracias Paul Borromer por la publicación.-