Enrique Maciel

Enrique Maciel

Enrique Maciel (July 13, 1897 – January 24, 1962^[1]) was a versatile and sensitive composer, lyricist, and harmonium, piano, bandoneon and guitar performer. The latter is the instrument that identified him permanently in the memory of tango listeners.

Life and work[]

Born to an Afro-Argentine family (most likely a descendant of West African peoples) in Buenos Aires, in 1897, Maciel received his early musical instruction in a local parochial school, and his first professional performance was in 1915.^{[citation needed]} His first tango, "Presentación," remains unpublished.^{[citation needed]} He joined small groups acting in houses and dance halls, touring the provinces. Among his peers, he was closest to bandoneonist .^[2]

In 1920, in Bragado, he met the poet and immediately released their collaboration with the tango "La tipa," leading to recording three years later by Rosita Quiroga. A year later, Maciel became a contractual guitarist with RCA-Victor, where he accompanied the Chilean duo . There, he met , with whom he made recordings in a guitar duo, accompanied by fellow RCA artists. Maciel's skill as a pianist earned him the tripling of an otherwise modest salary. His first new tango under this arrangement was "Grief" - performed by Osvaldo Fresedo and Rosita Quiroga (on harmonium).^[2]

In 1925, the pianist presented Ignacio Corsini to Maciel, who was incorporated into his popular group as a guitarist and pianist. Corsini's performances alongside Maciel continued until 1943, and their companions included José Aguilar on guitar and ; Aguilar left the set in 1928 and joined .^[3]

The group became popular on Argentine radio, particularly on Radio Buenos Aires. They gradually fell out of favor with listeners, however, and the group disbanded during the 1950s.^[2]

References[]

External links[]

• Enrique Maciel at Find a Grave