main
roots: The Havanera from Havana, Cuba (1700-1800), The Spanish Milonga
from Spain (1800) and the Candombe from Africans living in Argentina. (1600-1800).
The word tango has various suggested origins. From "tambo’o" (drum) or
perhaps more adequate and closer to the feelings expressed in the music,
from "zhango" an African god of thunder and fire. In the early times tango
was played in the outskirts of the city in impoverished neighborhoods and
brothels. Later it moved to the center of the city and higher classes.
It didn’t take long to take off and travel the world around. So were born
many forms of tango, the European tango in Paris and the American tango
in the USA. (Photo of Chantal and Tomas - Argentine tango teachers)
MORE ON TANGO
Tango is again enchanting the world. This time it is not the
Rodolfo Valentino style that is still alive and well in ball room dance
circles, but it is the original one… The Argentine Tango: a music, a dance,
a culture… a way of life.
Today the tango is enjoying a renaissance of popularity, keeping the fire of this dance burning brightly. This has been due mainly because of world class Argentine Tango touring shows such Tango Argentino, Tango X 2, Forever Tango, and others. Great numbers of enthusiasts are organizing AT groups, not only in the U.S., but all over the world. Many find it fascinating and want to increase their opportunities for learning, practicing and dancing tango.
ROMANCING THE TANGO
Although tango has come to epitomize the glamour and elegance of
high society, with women in sleek glittering evening gowns and men in tux
and tails, the tango was originally popular in society's underbelly--the
brothels of turn-of-the-century in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As immigrants
from Europe, and ports unknown streamed into the outskirts of Buenos Aires
during the 1880's, many gravitated toward the port city's houses of ill
repute. In these establishments, the porteños, (as they were called,
"dwellers of a port city") could drown their troubles in a few drinks and
find some companionship. They looked desperately for a distraction to ease
their sense of rootlessness and disfranchisement as "strangers in a strange
land." Originally tango was not accepted in the high society and in the
very beginning it was dance between men only.
From this heady, intermingled cultural brew emerged a new music,
which became the tango. Though musical historians argue as to its exact
origins, it is generally accepted that the tango borrowed from many nations:
THE TANGO WORD - ITS ORIGINS
Some say: The word "tango" comes from the Latin word tangere (to
touch). Others, that it is a variation of the word "tambó" (drum)
which in its pronunciation by the black population was changed to "tangó";
And yet others refer to its origins from an African word "Zangó"
a god of thunder and lightning.
THE EARLY MUSIC GROUPS
The first instruments to play tango were the guitar and the flute.
Other instruments were used also, such the violin and the harp. At the
close of the 1800, bandoneon makes its first appearance in Argentina. Somehow
Argentine musicians got in love with the bandoneon and adopted for the
Argentine tango. The bandoneon took the place of other instruments and
originally was accompanied by guitars.
TANGO GOES TO EUROPE - PARIS
During the first two decades of the new century, the tango took
Paris by storm. The blessings of the Parisians, in turn, made it a staple
of Argentinean high society. Tango was reigning supreme in the cabarets
and theatres frequented by the rich. By now the typical tango orchestra
was born -- rhythm played on piano and double bass; melodies played on
the bandoneon and the violin, with strong counter melodies and variations
In 1918, lyric writing for the tango become the latest trend, bringing forth the birth of a star who is still celebrated five decades after his death--singer Carlos Gardel. The memory of this handsome, charismatic performer has reached hero worship status in Argentina.
STYLES OF TANGO MUSIC
There are three forms of music played in Argentina during tango
dances: The tango per se, the MILONGA -- a faster pace tango carrying the
rhythmical roots of the candombe -- and the vals.
THE VALS (as it is called in Argentina or WALTZ = Doing turns
while you dance
Several quick transformations occurred in the way of dancing in
Europe during the mid 1700's. The minuet and the Quadrille disappear,
giving place to the waltz. This is the first dance to bring the dancing
couple into an embrace. That the men put their arms around the women
waist, and that women had to raise their skirt so as to not to step on
them, resulted in a great scandal among the so called "civilized" society.
It was prohibited on some places. Vals arrived to the Rio Plata around
the beginning of the 1800.
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UT 84097-0565
This page, Tango Times, The Tango Camerata are trade
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