Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Argentina

Birth

:

1896

Death

:

1964

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Orchestral

 

Anselmo Aieta was a prominent Argentine composer and bandoneon player who made significant contributions to the development of tango music. He was born on November 5, 1896, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to a family of Italian immigrants. His father was a musician who played the guitar, and his mother was a singer. Aieta grew up in a musical environment and started playing the bandoneon at a young age. Aieta's musical career began in the early 1910s when he joined the orchestra of Juan Maglio, also known as "Pacho." Maglio was a renowned tango musician and composer who had a significant influence on Aieta's musical style. Aieta played the bandoneon in Maglio's orchestra and learned the intricacies of tango music from him. In 1917, Aieta formed his own orchestra, which became one of the most popular tango orchestras of the time. The orchestra consisted of bandoneons, violins, piano, and double bass. Aieta's orchestra was known for its innovative arrangements and use of counterpoint, which set it apart from other tango orchestras of the time. Aieta's first major hit was the tango "El Choclo," which he arranged and recorded in 1928. The tango became an instant success and is now considered a classic of the genre. Aieta's arrangement of "El Choclo" featured a prominent bandoneon solo, which became a signature of his style. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Aieta continued to compose and record tango music. He collaborated with some of the most prominent tango lyricists of the time, including Enrique Santos Discépolo and Homero Manzi. Aieta's music was known for its emotional depth and melancholic melodies, which captured the essence of the tango. One of Aieta's most famous compositions is the tango "La Cumparsita," which he arranged and recorded in 1945. "La Cumparsita" is now considered the most famous tango in the world and has been covered by countless artists in various genres. Aieta's arrangement of "La Cumparsita" featured a haunting bandoneon solo, which has become one of the most recognizable melodies in tango music. Aieta's music was also featured in several films, including "El Tango en Broadway" (1934) and "El Tango en París" (1937). His music was often used to underscore the emotional drama of the films and helped to popularize tango music outside of Argentina. In addition to his work as a composer and bandoneon player, Aieta was also a respected music educator. He taught at the National Conservatory of Music in Buenos Aires and mentored several prominent tango musicians, including Astor Piazzolla. Aieta continued to compose and perform tango music until his death on September 25, 1964. His contributions to the development of tango music are still celebrated today, and his music continues to be performed and recorded by tango musicians around the world.

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