Por Una Cabeza Tango

The Tango has been described as passionate, electric, sensual, and as the “language to the heart.” Carlos has arranged this amazing music for handbells with a flowing obbligato handchime part that makes this perfect for concert or festival where a few extra ringers are available. It is faithful to both the score and the spirit of the original work. With the exception of the malleted bass, the entire work is Rung. The infectious tango rhythm in the bass supports the melody in the treble which should have a relaxed yet passionate feel. This specific tango received wide-spread popularity after it was included in “The Scent of A Woman,” and in an opening scene of “Schindler’s List.”

The back-story:  Por Una Cabeza was written in 1935 by Carlos Gardel with lyrics by his friend, Alfredo Le Pera. The title translates as “to lose by a head” which is a horse-racing term – and the lyrics are about a compulsive horse-track gambler comparing his “addiction for horses with his attraction to women.”  Unfortunately, both men were killed in an airplane crash in Colombia later in 1935!