Gallo Ciego (Tango)

tango tango history tango music Jan 22, 2022

Gallo Ciego (Tango)

© by Cosima Diaz Campos, 22 January 2022

Agustín Bardi (1884 – 1941) composed the tango Gallo Ciego.
Gallo Ciego is a children's game (see photo).
Litterally Gallo Ciego means blind rooster.

The first recorded version I have found is by Julio De Caro (1927).
The next recording I could find is 11 years later, by Ricardo Tanturi (1938 by Odeon).

Of course we don't know how many other tango orchestras have played Gallo Ciego at milongas, but we have at least these two recordings of 1927 and 1938.

It took another 21 years untill another version of Chiqué was recorded, played by Osvaldo Pugliese (1959 by Odeon). Although this was officially 'after the Golden Era', it still has the same signature style that Pugliese already had developed in the Golden Era, and the style that he played at packed full milongas with great success amongst the dancers.

Enjoy listening to both versions, to appreciate the different arrangements and the musicians who played it.

In1996, at my first class for tango violin, my teacher had a cassette tape and played Gallo Ciego. We listened to it together. It was the version of Osaldo Pugliese. Then he asked me how I felt about the piece. I was very intrigued by the exotic sound of the bandoneons. It reminded me of the Organito de la Calle, the street organ. And I was totally blown away by the solo of the violin... I am still moved when I hear this piece today.