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Víctor Lavallén

Víctor Lavallén, born on 18 December 1935, was a bandoneonist and arranger who played in the orchestras of Miguel Caló and Osvaldo Pugliese and co-founded the Sexteto Tango [1][4]. He composed the tango Frase, later led and recorded with other ensembles, and was named a distinguished cultural personality by the Buenos Aires City Legislature [2][3].

Víctor Lavallén was born on 18 December 1935 [4]. His career began in Buenos Aires around the age of fourteen, when he debuted with Eduardo Serrano's group at the Picadilly [1].

In the early 1950s he joined the orchestra of Miguel Caló, with which he toured Brazil [1]. From 1958 he spent ten years in Osvaldo Pugliese's orchestra as bandoneonist and arranger [1]. In 1968 he co-founded the Sexteto Tango and remained with it for nineteen years [1].

Lavallén is credited as the composer of the tango Frase, dated to 1966 [2]. His later activity included the 2007 release Amanecer ciudadano on the EPSA label [1] and a 2013 recording of Mistonguero conducting the Orquesta Escuela de Tango Emilio Balcarce [2]. A documentary about his life, Típico Víctor, premiered in 2015 [3]. In 2019 he recorded Comme il faut with Pablo Estigarribia and Horacio Cabarcos [3], and in 2024 the Buenos Aires City Legislature named him a distinguished cultural personality [3].

History

Early career

Around the age of fourteen, Lavallén made his debut in Buenos Aires with Eduardo Serrano's group at the Picadilly; the debut is dated to 1949 [1]. His date of birth is given as 18 December 1935 [4].

With Miguel Caló

In 1951 Lavallén joined Miguel Caló's orchestra and stayed until 1954 [1]. During this period he toured Brazil with the orchestra [1].

With Osvaldo Pugliese

In 1958 Lavallén joined Osvaldo Pugliese's orchestra [1]. He worked there as both bandoneonist and arranger for ten years [1].

Sexteto Tango

In 1968 Lavallén co-founded the Sexteto Tango [1]. He remained a member for nineteen years [1].

Later career and recognition

In his later career Lavallén continued to record and lead ensembles, including the Orquesta Escuela de Tango Emilio Balcarce, which he conducted on a 2013 recording [2]. The documentary Típico Víctor, about his life, premiered in 2015 [3]. In 2024 he was named a distinguished cultural personality by the Buenos Aires City Legislature [3].

Recordings

Recordings attributed to Lavallén in the sources include the following [1][2][3]:

  • Amanecer ciudadano, released on EPSA in 2007 [1].
  • Mistonguero, recorded in 2013 with Lavallén conducting the Orquesta Escuela de Tango Emilio Balcarce [2].
  • Comme il faut, recorded in 2019 with Pablo Estigarribia and Horacio Cabarcos [3].

Repertoire

Lavallén composed the tango Frase, a work dated to 1966 [2]. The sources do not give further details of its recordings or performers [2].

References

How Tangopedia works

  1. 1.Víctor Lavallén · todotango.com
  2. 2.Víctor Lavallén · todotango.com
  3. 3.Víctor Lavallén · es.wikipedia.org
  4. 4.Tangopedia staff · tangopedia.app
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Tours

  1. 1951Joins Miguel Caló's orchestra until 1954, touring Brazil.†

    Part of Miguel Caló's 1951 tour of Brazil

    Places named: Brazil

What we don't know yet4 of 6 known

Recordings, its singers.

Data: recordings, facts and sources

Also: its leader, Víctor Lavallén

Notes9

Around fourteen, debuts in Buenos Aires with Eduardo Serrano's group at the Picadilly.1949

Single source

Joins Miguel Caló's orchestra until 1954, touring Brazil.1951

Single source

Joins Osvaldo Pugliese's orchestra as bandoneonist and arranger for ten years.1958

Single source

Composes the tango Frase.1966

Single source

Co-founds the Sexteto Tango, staying nineteen years.1968

Single source

Releases Amanecer ciudadano on EPSA.2007

Single source

Records Mistonguero conducting the Orquesta Escuela de Tango Emilio Balcarce.2013

Single source

The documentary Típico Víctor about his life premieres.2015

Single source

Records Comme il faut with Pablo Estigarribia and Horacio Cabarcos.2019

Single source

Won1

Won Named a distinguished cultural personality by the Buenos Aires City Legislature.2024

Single source

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