Gerardo H. Matos Rodriguez

La Cumparsita

Gerardo Matos Rodríguez (1897 -1948) was a Uruguayan musician, composer and journalist. In 1916 he composed 'La Cumparsita' which was first played in public in the old Café 'La Giralda' in Montevideo which became later 'The Tango Museum' of Montevideo. The title 'La Cumparsita' translates as 'the little parade', and the first version was a tune with no lyrics. Later, Matos Rodríguez produced a version with lyrics. 'La Cumparsita' is among the most famous and recognizable tangos of all time. Matos Rodríguez also composed pieces for theatre and many other tangos but his name will mainly be remembered as the composer of the tango 'La Cumparsita'. Argentinean arranger Miguel Etchegoncelay transcribed this beautiful tango for Symphonic Band.