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Enrique Francini

El Violín de Buenos Aires

Violinist, Leader and Composer

(1916 January 14 - 1978 August 27)

Place of Birth: San Fernando (Buenos Aires) Argentina

DateTitleGenreEraSingerLabelMasterPitch

Notes: Enrique Francini

Era

Except for Era 3 (1955-1959), Francini was co-piloting the Orquesta with Armando Pontier, who served as the lead bandoñeon and major arranger. The formation was always 4 bandoñeons + 4 violins + 1 cello.

  1. 1946-49. Enrique Francini first violin, Armando Pontier first bando, Juan José Paz piano, cello Adriano Fanelli. There was some small changes in players in 47-48, but quite consistent.

  2. 1949-55. Enrique Francini first violin, Armando Pontier first bando, Juan José Paz piano (until 1954), cello Adriano Fanelli. Aside from the lead players, the other musicians were almost brand-new.

    2b: Angel Scichetti replaced José Paz at the end of 1954.

  3. 1955-59. Enrique Francini first violin, Julio Ahumada first bando, Juan José Paz piano/arranger; Expanded to 5 bando + 5 violin, cello was José Bragato.

  4. 1972-73. Enrique Francini first violin, Armando Pontier first bandoneón, piano Omar Valente, cello Enrique Lannoo. The orquesta was a 4+4 formation, with extra violin reinforcements in the recording studios.

    4a: 2 more violinists added.

    4b: 4 more violinists added.

Date/Genre/Singer

  • Film/Radio takes and non-OT recordings (Francini has recorded a lot) are not listed.

  • Mate Amargo (Ranchera, 1948-05-10) not included.

  • Carlos Puente mentioned Francini participated in some of Armando Pontier’s Víctor recording sessions during 1966-68. However, it is difficult to trace Francini’s presence in the recordings.

  • The recording sessions in 1972 were in early November. Exact dates unknown.

  • The 1973 recordings were made in Tokyo on May 1 & 2, according to the liner notes of the LP.

Masters/Pitch/Speed

  • Scarce evidence available, yet some hints suggest Víctor studio began to upgrade in Feb. 1949.

  • Tape masters might have been applied in the end-1953 sessions, yet were not evidenced.

  • The 1972/3 reunion sessions with Armando Pontier were recorded in the extravagant “Quadraphonic (4-channel stereo).”

  • The piano pitch transition from 440hz to 442hz in Víctor studio was probably in Aug 1953.