Francisco Pracánico
Real name Francisco Nicolás Pracánico
Life 15 May 1898 – 30 December 1971
Occupation
-
• pianist
• composer
• conductor
Instrument
-
• piano
Place of birth San Fernando, Buenos Aires
Country of birth Argentina
Citizenship
-
• Argentina
TodoTango: Link
Francisco Nicolás Pracánico (15 May 1898 – 30 December 1971) was an Argentine tango pianist, composer, and orchestra leader. He is remembered for his prolific contributions to tango music and his collaborations with prominent artists of his time.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Pracánico was born in San Fernando, a town in the Buenos Aires province. Due to economic hardship, he left school at the age of eight to work as a shoeshine boy. His interest in music developed early — he taught himself to play the harmonica, then the flute, guitar, and finally the piano, which he repaired himself after receiving it in a ruined condition.
In 1913, while working as a dishwasher in a cinema café in San Fernando, he stepped in for the absent pianist, performing the tango El Caburé. His impromptu debut earned him a job at the Cine-Teatro Variedades, where he earned 150 pesos a month. There, he also assembled his first orchestra, which included his two brothers, Moncagatti on double bass, and Scagliotti on cello.
Career in Buenos Aires
In 1919, Pracánico moved to Buenos Aires, performing first as the pianist in Augusto Pedro Berto’s ensemble at Bar Domínguez. He later formed his own orchestra and played in prestigious venues such as the Jockey Club, the Tigre Hotel, the Conte in Mar del Plata, and the famous Chantecler cabaret.
His orchestra included top-tier musicians like Gabriel Clausi ("Chula"), Domingo Scarpino, Manlio Francia, Elvino Vardaro, and Ángel Moncagatti. He also accompanied renowned singers including Azucena Maizani (notably at the Teatro Astral’s inauguration), Mercedes Carné, Ada Falcón, and Carmen Duval.
Compositions and Recordings
Pracánico’s first tango, Monte protegido, dates from 1916 and was followed by numerous notable works. Among his best-known compositions are:
- Pampa
- Madre
- Sombras
- Perdóname Señor
- Pobres flores
- Tatita
- Tango porteño (lyrics by Manuel Romero)
- Mentira, Te odio, Si se salva el pibe (lyrics by Celedonio Flores)
- Corrientes y Esmeralda (also lyrics by Celedonio Flores)
- Enfundá la mandolina
- Malhaya mi suerte
- Hijo del fango
- Martín Pescador and Afilador (lyrics by Emilio Magaldi)
- Corrientes Poty (lyrics by Novillo Quiroga)
- Aunque me cueste la vida and El corazón me robaste (lyrics and music by Pracánico)
Carlos Gardel recorded at least 13 of his songs, including his zambas and several tangos. Pracánico also collaborated with lyricists like Verminio Servetto, Manuel Romero, Celedonio Flores, and Novillo Quiroga.
His recordings for the Electra label began in 1926 and included tangos like Violetita (by Hermes Peressini and Paco Ruiz Paris), Abuelito (by Alberto Laporte, Eduardo Trongé and Carlos Cabral), and Dulce cariñito (attributed to Alberto Améndola or possibly Atilio Améndola). Later recordings include Te están esperando and Esta noche me emborracho (by Discépolo). Alfredo Murúa was the sound engineer.
Film Contributions
Pracánico appeared with his orchestra in the film Monte Criollo (1935), directed by Arturo S. Mom, for which he composed the title tango and Muchacho del cafetín. He also contributed music to the film Sábado a la noche, cine (1960), and collaborated with Florindo Ferrario.
Legacy
Although less widely known than some of his contemporaries, Pracánico is regarded as a fundamental figure in Argentine tango. José Gobello once noted that Pracánico did not gain the same fame as others who may have equaled, but not surpassed, his talent.
He was personally acquainted with Maurice Chevalier and Yvonne Vallée, and according to his own testimony, Carlos Gardel had promised to record Corrientes y Esmeralda, telling him shortly before his death: “Mañana o pasado te grabo 'Corrientes y Esmeralda', y en lugar mío lo meto a Chevalier.”
He also collaborated with poets and lyricists like Zubiría Mansilla, Benjamin Tagle Lara, and Bohigas. His zambas and tangos were also performed by Razzano.
He died in his hometown of San Fernando on 30 December 1971.
References
• Héctor Ángel Benedetti. Francisco Pracánico – TodoTango
• Orlando del Greco. Francisco Pracánico – TodoTango
• Francisco Pracánico – Wikipedia en Español
Orchestras
No known group memberships.
Recordings
No recordings found.