Videography by Vladimir Paje

Program Notes by Lucinda Mosher, Th.D.

Blue Tango

Leroy Anderson (1908 – 1975)

Written in 1951, published in 1952, Blue Tango was Leroy Anderson’s first big hit! It became a top-rated recording hit almost immediately and soon sold over a million copies (the first instrumental piece to do so). What’s a tango? Traditionally, an Argentinian or Uruguayan partner-dance, a tango may take many forms. But always, they feature a firm 4/4 beat—and usually, a tune with a hint of mystery about it.

"Blue Tango" by Leroy Anderson © Woodbury Music Company LLC (ASCAP)