Quinteto Real

Quinteto Real

Quinteto Real (founded 1960) was a deliberate creation, a supergroup of sorts assembled by the forward-thinking pianist Horacio Salgán (1916–2016). The initial idea was to form a group of virtuosos to play instrumental tango purely for listening, not for the dance floor. Salgán and guitarist Ubaldo De Lío, who already worked as a duo, were joined by three titans who had all led their own famous orchestras: Pedro Laurenz on bandoneón, Enrique Mario Francini on violin, and Rafael Ferro on double bass. This lineup brought together some of the most respected and innovative instrumentalists in tango history to explore the music's harmonic and rhythmic possibilities.

The sound of Quinteto Real is one of sophisticated arrangements, technical brilliance, and a playful, chamber-music interplay between the instruments. Salgán's piano is the harmonic anchor, often playing with a complexity and rhythmic drive that pushes beyond the conventions of the dance hall. The quintet format, with the notable inclusion of a guitar, gives the music a unique texture that is both lean and rich. Unlike the powerful, marcato drive of an orchestra like Juan D'Arienzo's, Quinteto Real's music is full of intricate counterpoint, witty dialogues between the soloists, and a refined elegance that bridges the gap between traditional tango and a concert performance style.

This library's holdings are entirely instrumental, which is the true heart of Quinteto Real's work. The group was conceived as a vehicle for instrumental expression, and they never featured a regular vocalist. The original lineup with Laurenz, Francini, and Ferro recorded their first albums for the Columbia label starting in 1960. The recording of "Ensueños" from 1961 showcases their approach perfectly: a classic tango re-imagined with a fresh, spontaneous energy and immense respect for the melody, allowing each virtuoso member a moment to shine. Over the decades, the lineup would change, with masters like Leopoldo Federico and Antonio Agri stepping in, eventually leading to the formation of the Nuevo Quinteto Real, but the group's essential character remained.

At milongas today, Quinteto Real is used with care. Their music was explicitly created for listening, and its complex rhythms, tempo variations, and virtuosic flourishes can be challenging for many dancers. You are more likely to hear them played as a cortina or during a break than as a full tanda. However, for experienced dancers who enjoy a musical challenge, or in an alternative milonga setting, a selection of their more straightforward pieces can be a rewarding experience. A DJ might occasionally program a piece like "Ensueños" in a mixed instrumental tanda to offer a moment of sophisticated, high-level musicianship.