Gerardo Matos Rodríguez

Gerardo Matos Rodríguez was born on 18 March 1897 ^[7]. He is credited with composing "La cumparsita", which one source dates to 1914 ^[6]. Roberto Firpo's orchestra premiered the piece at the café La Giralda in Montevideo, though sources differ on the year ^[1].

Aside from "La cumparsita", the dossier records several other works and collaborations. These include "Mocosita", with words by Víctor Soliño, and "Che papusa oí", written with Enrique Cadícamo ^[3][4]. He is also credited as composer of "Haceme caso a mí" ^[8]. In 1931 he worked on the music for Gardel's film Luces de Buenos Aires at Joinville ^[1]. He died on 25 April 1948 ^[5].

History

According to one source, Matos Rodríguez composed "La cumparsita" in 1914 ^[6]. Roberto Firpo's orchestra premiered it at the café La Giralda in Montevideo ^[1]. The date of the premiere is disputed. Horacio Ferrer gave the year as 1917, while Firpo himself placed it in 1916 ^[1].

In 1923 Matos Rodríguez recovered the rights to "La cumparsita" from the publisher Breyer, with the help of fellow authors ^[1]. In 1924 a lyric by Contursi and Maroni, "Si supieras", was sung at the Teatro Apolo in the production Un programa de cabaret, without his consent ^[2].

In 1931 Matos Rodríguez worked on the music for Gardel's Luces de Buenos Aires at Joinville ^[1]. He died on 25 April 1948 ^[5].

Repertoire

The dossier credits Matos Rodríguez with the following compositions ^[6][3][4][8]:

- "La cumparsita", dated to 1914 ^[6]. - "Mocosita", with words by Víctor Soliño, which appeared in 1926 and was spread by Rosita Quiroga's record ^[3][8]. - "Che papusa oí", written in 1927 with Enrique Cadícamo ^[4]. - "Haceme caso a mí" ^[8].

Recordings

The only recording in the dossier is Rosita Quiroga's record of "Mocosita", which spread the piece after it appeared in 1926 ^[3]. The dossier also records the premiere of "La cumparsita" by Roberto Firpo's orchestra, but this was a performance, not a recording ^[1].