Origin of the “Typical Orchestra” denomination

 

 

Story sent by Carlos Marello – 8/02/2001

According to Luis Sierra, the denomination “Typical Orchestra” is owed to Vicente Greco.  Around 1911, Greco was the director of the most successful group. They were so admired, that Tagini house, which was in charge of advertising the newly born phonographic industry, hired them to make some recordings.

The orchestra had to adopt a name which would identify it. Up to that moment, the orchestras that played tango music were the same that played waltzes, polkas, tarantellas and mazurkas at dance parties. When the exclusively tango-player orchestras appeared, they needed to be distinguished from the others. That was why Vicente Greco called his orchestra “Orquesta Típica Criolla” (Typical Creole Orchestra”).

Orchestra, because it was composed by a group of musicians; Typical, because it was the characterization of Buenos Aires music; and Creole, because it played native music, in opposition to other orchestras which played foreign music. 

But in time, this denomination shortened to “Typical Orchestra”, and extended to all the tango orchestras, which are still known by this name nowadays.

With affection

Carlos F. Marello