Capricorn

(22 December to 20 January)

Dancing for Capricorn is a matter to be approached with the same seriousness as studying for exams. They stick to the moves they have learned to get through any party comfortably and with their dignity intact. Precise, contained movements appeal to Capricorn, as they fit in with their ordered thinking patterns and allow for their natural elegance to shine through. Capricorns are the best vals dancers. Consequently they despise crowded milongas as this severely hampers their swirling lyrical style of dancing.

Carlos Di Sarli

famous Capricorn
in Argentine tango

Carlos Di Sarli was one of the greatest creators in tango music. Neither a traditionalist nor a follower of innovations, Carlos paved his own musical path: elegant, emphasising the melody but without sacrificing the rhythm. With great subtlety and nuance he respected the spirit of the composers of his repertoire. His music has an easy, danceable sound for beginners whilst sufficiently complex for more advanced dancers. His reputation for musical elegance got him his nickname 'El Señor del Tango' (The Lord of tango). Carlos Di Sarli was born on 7 January 1903 in Bahía Blanca as the eighth child of an Italian immigrant. Music played an important role in the family: Carlos' older brother Domingo was a teacher at the Williams music conservatory in Bahía Blanca. In 1916, working in his father's gunsmith store, he suffered an accident that cost him an eye. To hide the wound he wore sunglasses for the rest of his life. In 1919 he set up his first orchestra and played at a tea room. In 1923 Carlos moved to Buenos Aires. He played in several different settings before starting a sextet in late 1927. With this sextet he recorded 49 tracks on the Victor label until 1931 when Di Sarli lost his contract with Victor and moved to Rosario. Later on Di Sarli returned to Buenos Aires, and set up an orchestra again at the end of 1938. Their first recording made in December 1939, again on the Victor label, has become a classic: 'Tango Corazón'. The following decade was a magnificent one for this orchestra. Carlos recorded up to 155 tracks with Victor until 1948. His orchestra was very successful, and especially popular with dancers. Di Sarli's musicians walked out on him in 1949. Carlos was notoriously difficult to work for. Di Sarli returned to the studios of the TK label in 1951 with a more spacious sound. Carlos retired again in 1953 due to health reasons. In 1954 he returned once more, this time to the studios of RCA Victor. The instrumentals from this late period are classics of the genre, amongst the greatest tango recordings of all time. He cut his final tracks on Polygram in 1958. Di Sarli, already seriously ill, gave his last performance on 8 March 1959. He died on 12 January 1960.