Orquesta Típica Victor (OTV) - Golden Age recordings

From its creation Orquesta Típica Victor was recording in Guardia Vieja style. The songs from that period were very simple and rhythmical, all the instruments were playing together - "a la parilla". Some other popular orchestras playing in that style were: Adolfo Carabelli, Sexteto Carlos di Sarli, early Francisco Lomuto and Francisco Canaro. In the middle of 30ies the style changed and Golden Age period started. The music became more sophisticated, melodic and romantic. Also OTV did follow that trend.

Songs from that period are probably less known among the dancers than the ones from the Guardia Vieja epoch. I like them a lot, both as a DJ and as a dancer. I'd like you to pay special attention to two of them.

"Una Vez" is the first one. I think that it is currently the most popular song of OTV from that period. It is truly beautiful, its melody usually brings all the dancers to the dance floor. It happens that some songs become popular in the milongas because of some famous couple's performance video on Youtube. I think "Una Vez" is an example of it. It got much more popular (at least at the milongas I was attending) after Noelia Hurtado and Carlitos Espinoza performed to it (link to the video below).

By the way: Noelia had also an important contribution to promoting another tango hit - "Invierno" by Francisco Canaro. At that occasion it was still with Pablo Rodríguez.

Another song to check is "Loca", a song better known from d'Arienzo's repertoire. The version by OTV is pretty much completely unknown. The quality of the recording available is not great and it is not easy to build a consistent tanda with it. I would rather leave playing it during marathons with crowd of experienced dancers.

Song examples:

Una Vez, Canta Ortega del Cerro, 1943
Bailan Carlitos Espinoza y Noelia Hurtado
Bailan Murat y Michelle Erdemsel

Bajo El Cono Azul, Canta Alberto Carol, 1944
Bailan Anita Monteagudo y Pablo Retamar

Tu Vida Es Mi Vida, Instrumental, 1937

Mi Taza De Café, Canta Alberto Carol, 1944

Loca, Instrumental, 1944

Adios Buenos Aires, Angel Vargas, 1938
Bailan Juan Carlos Martinez y Nora Witanowsky

Desesperanza, Canta Mario Pomar, 1939

Orquesta Típica Victor (OTV) - Overview

From the beginnings of tango "industry" some of the recording companies were creating their own tango orchestras. Their main purpose was to represent the companies and make recordings. They usually did not perform in public. Example of such orchestras are: Orquesta Típica Brunswick, Orquesta Típica Columbia, Orquesta Típica Select. But by far the most famous one was Orquesta Típica Victor (OTV).

The orchestra was created in 1925 and existed until 1944. Throughout its history many of the best tango musicians worked there. Adolfo Carabelli was the first leader of the orchestra. Among other famous names we could find bandoneonists: Luis Petruccelli , Ciriaco Ortiz, Carlos Marcucci, Pedro Laurenz; violinists: Agesilao Ferrazzano, Elvino Vardaro, Antonio Buglione, Cayetano Puglisi. Most of those musicians have created their own orchestras after leaving OTV. Among the most important singers we should list: Roberto Díaz, Carlos Lafuente, Alberto Gómez, Ernesto Famá, Luis Díaz, Ortega del Cerro, Angel Vargas.

Between 1925 and 1937 the orchestra was recording in Guardia Vieja style. Later on it followed trend and moved to the Golden Age style. To read about the difference between those styles please check one of my previous posts: Guardia Vieja vs Golden Age.

In the repertoire we will find very wide selection of tangos but also many valses and a few milongas. In my next posts I will write more about them and give many examples...

For more detailed information please go to:
Todo Tango - Orquesta Típica Victor