Gerardo Matos Rodríguez

HIDDEN ERROR: Usage of "size" is not recognized

Gerardo Hernán Matos Rodríguez (March 28, 1897 – April 25, 1948) Montevideo, Uruguay, also known as Becho, was a Uruguayan musician, composer and journalist.

Background and early career

Gerardo Hernán Matos Rodríguez was born in Montevideo, the son of the owner of the Moulin Rouge, a popular local cabaret. He studied architecture, but did not complete the course. He began composing as a young student in 1917, and his first known work, "La Cumparsita", which he wrote on the piano of the Federación de Estudiantes of Uruguay . It became one of the most recognizable tango pieces, though ironically, Matos was initially too shy to play the piece himself, and it became well-known through the performance of others.

He travelled widely throughout Europe and stayed in Paris for a time, as well as working as Uruguayan consul to Germany. In 1931, he collaborated on the flm score for Luces de Buenos Aires, shot in Joinville-le-Pont, France, and starring renowned tango vocalist Carlos Gardel.