A brief history of Tango - Part 1 of 4 - Latin Dance Community

TheDanceViewer

3 Jun 201705:22

Summary

TLDRThe origins of Tango are shrouded in mystery, with its birth in the poor neighborhoods of Buenos Aires during the mid-19th century. A fusion of European music styles, it evolved from the Andalusian dance, Tango Andaluz, but with distinct characteristics. The early music was instrumental, with the Bandoneon as its signature instrument. Tango gained popularity in low-class venues, and composers like Angel Villoldo and Carlos Gardel, known for 'El Choclo' and 'Mi Noche Triste,' played pivotal roles in its global spread, with Gardel's tragic death in 1935 marking a significant moment in Tango's history.

Takeaways

💃 Tango is not just beautiful and sensual but also cool, even though it's over 100 years old.
❓ The origins and early history of Tango are unclear, with few reliable sources and many contradictions.
📍 Tango originated in poor neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the mid-19th century.
🎶 The early Tango dance was influenced by European immigrant music styles.
💃 Before Argentine Tango, there was 'Tango andaluz' or 'Gypsy Tango,' a dance from Andalusia, Spain, but they are distinct in music and dance.
📜 There is no concrete evidence linking the name 'Tango' to the Spanish term for dance parties involving gypsies or slaves.
🎻 The first Tango songs were instrumental, with bandoneón (a small wind instrument) becoming a signature sound.
🏙️ By the end of the 19th century, Tango was well-established but mainly confined to low-class nightclubs and bordellos.
🎵 One of the first famous Tango composers was Ángel Villoldo, who wrote 'El Choclo' in 1903.
🎤 Carlos Gardel, born in France but raised in Buenos Aires, became an international Tango superstar and helped popularize the genre worldwide.

Q & A

What is the significance of Tango dancing?
-Tango dancing is significant for its beauty, sensuality, and sexiness. It is also considered cool despite its origins over 100 years ago.
What is the origin of Tango?
-The exact origins of Tango are unclear due to a lack of documentation. However, it is generally agreed that it started in the poor neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, Argentina, during the mid-19th century.
What was the first Tango music like?
-The first Tango music was a mix of other music styles brought by European immigrants. It did not have lyrics initially, and the main instruments were posos, guitars, bass, and violins.
What is the Bandoneon and its role in Tango music?
-The Bandoneon is a small wind instrument that resembles an accordion. It became the signature instrument of Tango music and is essential to its sound.
Who was one of the first renowned Tango composers?
-Anel Bol was one of the first renowned Tango composers, known for writing the song 'El choclo' or 'The Corn Cob' around 1903.
How did Tango gain popularity in the early 20th century?
-Tango gained popularity as musicians started recording songs with lyrics that spoke about love, heartbreak, and time lost. The dance also began to be featured in more venues beyond low-class nightclubs and bordellos.
Who is Carlos Gardel and what is his contribution to Tango?
-Carlos Gardel was a young, good-looking Tango singer who mesmerized audiences with his voice and charisma. He became an international superstar, touring extensively and appearing in films. His contribution to Tango was significant as his songs helped spread the genre worldwide.
What happened to Carlos Gardel?
-Carlos Gardel died at the peak of his career on June 24, 1935, in a plane crash in Medellín, Colombia.
What is the relationship between Tango and Tango andalo?
-Tango andalo, also known as Tango hitano or Gypsy Tango, is a dance from the Andalusia region in Spain related to Spanish flamenco. It is suggested that Argentine Tango may have borrowed its name from Tango andalo, but the music and dance of each are very different, and there is no concrete evidence to prove this connection.
What does the term 'Tango' mean and where does it originate from?
-According to some researchers, 'Tango' means 'dance party' and was a term used by Spanish people to describe a loud gathering of gypsies or slaves where there was partying and dancing involved.

Outlines

00:00

💃 Origins and Evolution of Tango

Tango, a dance known for its beauty, sensuality, and sexiness, has a history shrouded in mystery due to a lack of reliable documentation. It is believed to have originated in the poor neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, Argentina, during the mid-19th century. The dance was a fusion of various music styles brought by European immigrants. Initially, Tango was associated with the lower-class establishments like nightclubs and bordellos. The music was characterized by the use of instruments such as the piano, guitar, bass, and violin, with the Bandoneon being the signature instrument. The dance began to gain popularity in the late 19th century, and composers like Angel Villoldo and singers like Carlos Gardel, who became an international sensation, played significant roles in spreading Tango's fame. Gardel's music, in particular, helped to popularize Tango around the world, despite his untimely death in a plane crash in 1935.

05:02

🌐 The Global Impact of Tango

As Tango music gained popularity, so did the dance itself, spreading beyond Argentina to become a global phenomenon. The dance's allure was such that it captivated audiences worldwide, leading to a surge in its practice and appreciation. The paragraph suggests that the music's increasing popularity was paralleled by the dance's expansion, indicating a cultural exchange that transcended geographical boundaries.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Tango

Tango is a partner dance that originated in the late 19th century in the Rio de la Plata region, which includes parts of Argentina and Uruguay. It is characterized by its passionate and dramatic movements, often reflecting the emotional intensity of the music. In the video, Tango is described as not only beautiful and sensual but also as a dance that has maintained its coolness despite being over a century old. The script discusses the dance's origins in the poor neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and its evolution from a mix of other music styles brought by European immigrants.

💡Sensual

Sensual refers to the quality of evoking or appealing to the senses, particularly in a way that is sexually attractive or evocative. In the context of the video, 'sensual' is used to describe the intimate and emotionally expressive nature of Tango dancing, highlighting its appeal as a dance form that is deeply connected to the emotions and physicality of the dancers.

💡Latin dances

Latin dances encompass a variety of dance styles that have originated from Latin America and Spain. These dances are typically characterized by their lively rhythms, expressive movements, and cultural significance. The video mentions Latin dances to provide a broader context for the Tango's place within the spectrum of dances that share a Latin heritage, although it notes that the origins of Tango are not well-documented.

💡Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina. It is mentioned in the video as the birthplace of Argentine Tango, where it originated in the mid-19th century in the city's poor neighborhoods. The city's cultural and historical significance is underscored by its role in the development and popularization of Tango.

💡Tango andalo

Tango andalo, also known as Tango hitano or Gypsy Tango, is a dance from the Andalusia region in Spain. The video suggests that Argentine Tango may have borrowed its name from this earlier dance form, although the music and dance styles are quite distinct. The mention of Tango andalo serves to illustrate the possible influences on the development of Argentine Tango.

💡Bandonéon

The Bandonéon is a type of concertina, an accordion-like musical instrument that is particularly associated with Tango music. It is highlighted in the video as the signature instrument of Tango, providing the distinctive melodies that accompany the dance. The Bandonéon's prominence in the music underscores its importance in defining the sound of Tango.

💡Anel Bol

Anel Bol was one of the first renowned Tango composers, mentioned in the video for his contribution to the development of Tango music. He wrote 'El choclo' or 'The Corn Cob,' a song that became a classic in the Tango repertoire. Anel Bol's work is significant as it represents an early stage in the evolution of Tango music, which eventually gained international recognition.

💡Carlos Gardel

Carlos Gardel, known as Charles G in the video, was a prominent Tango singer and composer who became an international superstar in the early 20th century. Born in France but raised in Buenos Aires, Gardel's music helped to spread Tango's popularity worldwide. His tragic death in a plane crash is noted in the video, but his legacy as a key figure in Tango's global dissemination is emphasized.

💡Musical evolution

The musical evolution of Tango is discussed in the video, highlighting how it transformed from a dance with no lyrics and simple melodies to a rich musical genre with complex compositions and emotional lyrics. This evolution is illustrated through the progression from early instrumental pieces to songs with lyrics that express themes of love, heartbreak, and nostalgia.

💡Cultural significance

The cultural significance of Tango is a recurring theme in the video. It is portrayed as a dance that reflects the history and spirit of its origins in Buenos Aires, as well as a cultural phenomenon that has transcended its local roots to become a symbol of Latin American identity and artistry on the global stage.

Highlights

Tango dancing is sensual, sexy, and has remained cool despite being over 100 years old.

The origins of Tango are largely unknown due to a lack of documentation and unreliable sources.

Tango is believed to have started in the poor neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the mid-19th century.

Early Tango was a mix of other music styles brought by European immigrants.

Tango andalo, or Gypsy Tango, from Andalusia, Spain, may have influenced the name of Argentine Tango.

The term 'Tango' might have originated from Spanish gatherings involving partying and dancing.

There is no concrete evidence linking the name of Argentine Tango to its Spanish counterpart.

In the early days, Tango was accompanied by live music due to the absence of recordings.

The Bandoneon, a small wind instrument, became the signature instrument of Tango music.

By the end of the 19th century, Tango as a dance was well established in low-class nightclubs and bordellos.

Anel Bol was one of the first renowned Tango composers, known for 'El choclo' or 'The Corn Cob'.

Tango songs with lyrics started being recorded around 1910, discussing themes of love and heartbreak.

Carlos Gardel, a young and charismatic Tango singer, began captivating audiences around 1915.

Gardel's first single, 'Mi Noche Triste', sold 10,000 copies and became an instant hit in Latin America.

Gardel became an international superstar, touring South America, Paris, and New York.

Carlos Gardel tragically died in a plane crash in 1935, but his impact on Tango was significant.

Gardel's songs helped spread Tango music and dance worldwide, increasing its popularity.