Tres Esquinas

The tango "Tres Esquinas" was a collaborative effort between composer Aníbal Troilo and lyricist Enrique Cadícamo in 1941. Troilo, a legendary bandoneon player, provided the complex musical structure while Cadícamo supplied the evocative lyrics. It quickly became a cornerstone of the golden age of Argentine tango.

The lyrics of "Tres Esquinas" vividly depict scenes from the working-class districts and tenements of Buenos Aires. The title translates to "Three Corners," referencing a specific type of neighborhood layout that was common in the city's poorer outskirts. The song serves as a nostalgic tribute to the arrabal, the city's marginal neighborhoods.

"Tres Esquinas" is highly notable for its complex rhythmic structure and dramatic musical arrangement by Aníbal Troilo. The song breaks away from simpler dance rhythms to offer a more intricate, emotional listening experience. It perfectly captures the defining sound of Troilo's orchestra in the early 1940s.

While Aníbal Troilo led the orchestra and played the bandoneon, he relied on professional singers to perform the vocals for "Tres Esquinas." The original 1941 recording featured the voice of Francisco Fiorentino, who was Troilo's primary vocalist at the time. Fiorentino's delivery is widely celebrated as the definitive vocal interpretation of the piece.