Time For Tango

Air Date:
Heard On The Odyssey Series
Photo by Raphael Koerich (CC)

(#7) The tango is a partner dance that originated in the 1890s along the Río de la Plata, the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay, and soon spread to the rest of the world…however, the tango is a dance that has influences from European and African culture. Dances from the candombe ceremonies of former enslave Africans helped shape the modern day Tango having originated in the slums of Buenos Aires and Montevideo. Ástor Pantaleón Piazzolla, born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, in 1921, the only child of Italian immigrant parents would become an important Argentine tango composer and bandoneon player. His oeuvre revolutionized the traditional tango into a new style termed nuevo tango, incorporating elements from jazz and classical music.

Episode Credits

  • Dr. Jonathan Øverby Host
  • Joe Hardtke Technical Director

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