Remember Francisco Lomuto’s name as we pause here at this small plaza. This is Plazoleta Francisco Lomuto. Who was Francisco Lomuto? He was a significant figure in the world of tango music. Lomuto was a pianist, orchestra director, and composer. He was born in Buenos Aires in 1893.
Plazoleta Francisco Lomuto is a tribute to his legacy. His parents were Neapolitan immigrants. They loved music. His father Victor played the violin. His mother Rosalia was a pianist. She gave Francisco his first music lessons.
Lomuto’s talent emerged early. At 13 he composed his first tango “El 606”. The name alluded to a medicine for venereal diseases. The Municipal Band of Buenos Aires even recorded it.
For years Lomuto worked in music shops. He played pieces for customers. This experience honed his skills. His early tangos gained recognition. “El inquieto” and “La rezongona” were recorded in the USA. Francisco Canaro recorded “La rezongona” and “Dardanelos” in 1915. Roberto Firpo recorded “La revoltosa” in 1917.
“Muñequita” became his first big hit. Adolfo Herscheld wrote the lyrics. The actress María Luisa Notar premiered it in 1918. Carlos Gardel also recorded it. The Orquesta Típica Select recorded it in the United States.
Francisco Lomuto contributed vastly to tango. He recorded over 950 numbers between 1922 and 1950. Some of his famous compositions include “La revoltosa” and “Cachadora”. “Fumando Espero” and “Muchachita del campo” are also notable.
Lomuto also ventured into Argentine films. He appeared in “El Alma de bandoneón”. “La rubia del camino” and “Melgarejo” also featured him.
In 1936 Lomuto became president of SADAIC. This is the Argentine Society of Music Authors and Composers. He helped protect the rights of music creators. Lomuto died in 1950. He was only 57 years old.
Characteristic of his tango arrangements is a special element. He ended them with a diminished seventh. This is absent in his vals and milonga arrangements. It is a Lomuto trademark.
Think of Plazoleta Francisco Lomuto as more than a space. It is a reminder of his contributions. It is a celebration of Argentine tango. It ensures that the maestro’s music continues to resonate. The maestro’s legacy continues to inspire. So, let the spirit of Lomuto’s tango fill Plazoleta Francisco Lomuto.