← Course contentsLesson 6 / 8
1935–1955
The Golden Age (Época de Oro)
Tango's most radiant age of music and dance.
From roughly 1935 to 1955, tango entered its Golden Age. Countless orchestras flourished and the dance halls overflowed. At the center were four great maestros — Juan D'Arienzo, Carlos Di Sarli, Aníbal Troilo and Osvaldo Pugliese.
The “King of Rhythm” D'Arienzo drove dancers with his pulsing beat; Di Sarli sought an elegant, unwavering walk; Troilo (nicknamed “Pichuco”) pursued innovation and song; and Pugliese reached for a dramatic, weighty sound (“La Yumba”). In Troilo's orchestra, a young Astor Piazzolla worked as arranger.
Key terms
- Época de Oro
- Tango's Golden Age, roughly 1935–1955.
- The four maestros
- D'Arienzo / Di Sarli / Troilo / Pugliese.
- La Yumba
- The weighty signature piece of Pugliese's orchestra.