Juan D'Arienzo

D'Arienzo is called "El Rey Del Compás" (King of The Beat/Rhythm). He kickstarted the Golden Age of tango by causing tango fever and bringing dancers onto the dance floor in masse with his driving beat. They were so successful that other orchestras were heavily influenced in 1938-41, all of them sounds fast and rhythmical.

He was essential on stage with his iconic style of conducting the orchestra even though he didn't play any instrument in the orchestra.

D'Arienzo's style is straight forward, strong beat accentuated by bandoneon, flying piano solo, beautiful counter melody by violin, fireworks variacion by bandoneon at the end.

Over the years the orchestra style evolved, mellowing down with Mauré and Laborde or having stronger base in the late 40s to 5os.

In D'Arienzo's own words :La mía es una orquesta recia, con un ritmo muy acompasado, nervioso, vibrante. Porque el tango para mí es tres cosas: compás, efecto y matices. Una orquesta debe tener, sobre todas las cosas, vida.