Rodolfo Biagi (March 14, 1906, in Buenos Aires – September 24, 1969) was an Argentine orchestra conductor, composer, and pianist whose nickname was "manos brujas" ("magic hands") and who is considered an important figure associated with tango music.
From 1935 to 1938, he worked as the pianist for Juan D'Arienzo's tango orchestra. In 1938, he founded his own orquesta típica.
Life
He was born in the San Telmo neighborhood of Buenos Aires. After finishing primary school, he dedicated himself to learning music, particularly the violin. He reached a compromise with his parents, who wanted him to continue his studies, so he simultaneously attended the "Mariano Acosta" Normal School for Teachers and the conservatory run by the newspaper La Prensa, where he discovered that he preferred the piano over the violin.<blockquote>“Biagi established from the keyboard a distinctive style: staccato, faster than other orchestras, monotonous and musically simple, but very danceable—ideal for those barely familiar with the basics of tango dancing, because the infectious rhythm led them along. The orchestra revived the long-forgotten 2/4 beat of the heroic trio days. Tango was regaining its original joy. It was a style not well-suited to passive listening, but full of energy for dancers. The instruments played in unison, and only an occasional bar from the leading piano could be singled out—but no more.”</blockquote>In addition to performing at Chantecler, Biagi worked with D'Arienzo on LR1 Radio El Mundo, at club dances, on tours, and appeared in the film Melodías porteñas, directed by Enrique Santos Discépolo. He recorded 71 pieces with D'Arienzo between December 31, 1935—when he recorded Orillas de Plata—and June 22, 1938—when he recorded Champagne Tango.