Read more about Ricardo Malerba
Uncorrected translation by Google translate
He was artistically formed in the tango of the late 1920s and in his bohemian years in Europe afterwards. His orchestra was known for the quality of its sound and the swinging properties of its rhythm.
His first performances were with his brothers in local cinemas. They earned one peso a day. In 1927, he and his brothers joined the orchestra that Cátulo Castillo had put together to go to Europe. Miguel Caló and singer Roberto Maida were also members. They stayed in Spain for a long time and performed in numerous cities. The tour ended in 1930, but the Malerba brothers remained in Europe.
On his return to Argentina he put together an orchestra with Francisco Fiorentino as singer. They appeared at the famous Tabarís Cabaret and on radio station La Voz del Aire. Through the connections of his sister-in-law and singer Libertad Lamarque, he signed a contract to play on Radio Belgrano, on the condition that he would play a rhythmic tango in a d’Arienzo-like style. He made his debut with his own orchestra on March 1, 1938 and remained with that radio station for more than twenty years.
Gradually he gained recognition, he played slower than d’Arienzo, was much loved by dancers and was easy to listen to. The arrangements were written by the pianist, who was also the husband of his sister-in-law.
He made thirty-eight songs for the Odeon label, most of them between 1941 and 1945. Highlights of this period include: Gitana rusa and Remembranza with Orlando Medina, who identified most with the orchestra and, for example, Una copa más with singer Antonio Maida.
Ricardo Malerba and his orchestra starred in the film La vida de Carlos Gardel, in which Hugo del Carril and Delia Garcés played the leading roles in the tango piece Noches de Montmartre. He also appeared in the film Cita en la frontera with Libertad Lamarque. He accompanied the singer in all her performances of that film.
In 1952 the orchestra traveled to Porto Alegre (Brazil) where they appeared in the most luxurious hotels and on the regional network of radio and television. Later they made a long tour through Brazil.
Among his compositions, Embrujamiento stands out.