Fifty years of madness? (Balada para un Loco, 1969)

“Balada para un loco” is one of the most recognized songs by Astor Piazzolla. The Uruguayan poet Horacio Ferrer, was asked to create the lyrics to this melody. 

These two great figures worked together. Astor and Horacio met for several days at the apartment owned by the musician on Avenida del Libertador, in Buenos Aires. One on the piano and the other one with a pen and paper, they both gave form to this “locura”  Uno en el piano y el otro con la pluma y el papel le dieron forma a esa “locura” (madness).

The song was premiere at the Festival de Buenos Aires de la Canción y la Danza, on November 16^th of 1969 at the Luna Park with Amelita Baltar as the singer. It won the second prize, the first one went to “Hasta el último tren” by Julio Ahumada and Julio Camilloni,

This event divided the waters between the ones that consider it a tango and the ones that did not. 

Interview to Horacio Ferrer by TN.com.ar in 2012:

How do you remember the premier of “Balada para un Loco”?
It was in November of 1969, at the first Festival Buenos Aires de la Canción y la Danza.  It was an unforgettable moment!  The “maestro” Astor Piazzola and I were walking by Avenida Córdoba and he said: "Horacio, tomorrow print your business cards saying: “Horacio Ferrer, poet of Balada para un Loco”, you’ll be using it the rest of your life.” We had not participated at the Festival yet.

How would you define Astor Piazzolla’s career?
A musical genius of the XX century. We have been lucky to have him in tango.  He decided to be tanguero and to play the bandoneón.

Is he recognized as a figure in our country (Argentina)?
Of course he is!  In life in general, in science, in sports and in music, everywhere, there is always people in favor and people against. There are no unanimous votes. 

How did you both decide to work on "Balada para un loco"?
When in 1965 I wrote "Romancero canyengue", I sent a copy to maestro Piazzolla, and another one to maestro Troilo and to my surprise, both were very excited with the book. They saw it as something totally new and different. The prologue was by Cátulo Castillo. Then Piazzolla invited me to write with him, he suggested that we had to work together. That was the beginning of "María de Buenos Aires" which was the first project that we did together and it’s still being performed all around the world.
Few years later we created "Baladada para un loco" and a whole repertoire of 50 songs.  

How would you define the voice and the role of Amelita Baltar?
She is perfect for this song and for the entire repertoire.  She has a very distinctive voice, is a great performer, extremely talented and profound.  Just perfect!  

Read the Lyrics of Balada para un Loco in English and in Spanish, and listen to the song: Balada para un Loco - lyrics and music