ARGENTINE TANGO HISTORY
THE TANGO: A DANCE, A CULTURE, A WAY OF LIFE
Today Tango epitomizes the glamour and elegance of high society, with women in sleek glittering evening gowns and men in tux and tails. It holds a privileged position in the representation of the Argentine abroad. While it is known as a dance and a music which can be sung, tango also contains a particular language ( lunfardo ), certain usages and customs, and even a charactistic describing philosophy identifying tango people.
At an international level, in order to distinguish it from so many other forms that appear in dance halls, it is known as Argentine tango.
It was this which gave rise to all other forms.
The birth of tango took place towards the mid-19th century, with the formation of dwelling conglomerates around the young city of Buenos Aires. Those who lived there, peasants from inland, European, African, Spaniards, and Italian immigrants made up a new social class. The name given to the people was portenos. Perhaps as a way of identifying themselves as a group and of feeling they belonged in their new home, they began to create cultural expressions derived from this mixture. This was the start of tango, characterized by its extremely closed codes, which were only accessible to the working classes.
The evolution of tango began around the early 1900's until 1955. During the 40's and 50's tango was at its peak. In the first two decades of the new century, the tango took Paris by storm. The Parisians, in turn, made it a staple of Argintinean high society. Tango was reigning supreme in the cabarets and theatres frequented by the rich. Out of this culture, the tango musician became elevated to professional composer status. Better musicians developed orchestras, a pioneer in the genre, Roberto Firpo, created the typical tango orchestra with piano, double bass, bandoneon, and violin.
In the 30's the people celebrated their social rise with the tango, which became a symbol of their physical solidarity and part of their daily life. Again, tango musicians emerged who took the form in new directions, Pugliese and Anibal Troilo.
What started with dance was eventually coming of age in the expert hands of great men, who, inspired in the popular melting pot, captured the richest part of Buenos Aires culture in their compositions. Themes always refer to ordinary man and his problems, the city and memories. Thus tango becomes a portrayal of Buenos Aires and its people. For this reason, undoubtedly, since the best of Buenos Aires culture is carried in each song, tango gained popularity abroad.
During 40's and 50's when Peron rose to power the tango reached the pinnacle of popularity in Argentina as both he and his wife Evita embraced it wholeheartedly. Around the mid-50's tango fell from the mainstream spotlight when American rock-and- roll invaded the dance scene.
In the late 70's the renaissance of tango began. People were introduced to the music from Astor Piazzola, not suitable for dancing, and successful shows like Tango Argentino toured the world.
Today, tango is danced around the world. Its popularity is increasing.
Robert Duvall a well known celebrity is a tango dancer and has performed for President Clinton, and Ex- President Menum of Argentina at the White House. Several years ago he was inspired to do a documentary with National Geographic about tango.
