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Al compas del mundo, programa #93 - Tango and danzón


The tango and danzón are two of the best-known dance styles to ever come out of Latin America. They evolved in the 19th century as a lower-class form of entertainment, with influence from the Black ex-enslaved people (i.e. African) population and European immigrants. Both were considered scandalous at first by “polite society” as the accompanying dance styles were viewed as salacious, but proved to be too much fun to be ignored. As their popularity spread, the danzón became the official musical genre and dance of Cuba, where it originated, while the tango represented Argentina wherever it was heard. Today, the danzón in its original form is probably more popular and danced more widely in Mexico than Cuba. The tango, on the other hand, has spread around the world though remains firmly rooted as an essential cornerstone of Argentinian cultural pride.

The music in today’s program presents a sample of the most notable proponents of each genre. Old school legends like Carlos Gardel and Mariano Merceron match up with contemporary takes on classical themes from the likes of Astor Piazzola and the Orquesta la Moderna Tradicion. Dancing shoes are not required for listening, but millions of Latinos (and others) will experience restless leg syndrome for the next 60 minutes. JH


Tango and danzón run list - First broadcast 9=14=2023

 

01 Carlos Gardel - La Cumparsita (Argentina)

02 Orquesta Mexicana de Tango - Volver (México)

03 Hugo del Carril - A los oligarcas (Argentina)

04 Juan D'Arienzo con Osvaldo Ramos - Sentimiento gaucho (Argentina)

05 Tangueses - Camerata de tango (Uruguay)

06 Orquesta Mario Demarco con Edmundo Rivera - Mano a mano (Argentina)

07 Astor Piazzola - Fuga y misterio (Argentina)

08 Carlos Gardel - Adiós muchachos (Argentina)

09 Acerina y su Danzonera - Las alturas del Simpson (Cuba)

10 Chamaco Aguilar con La Danzonera Joven de México - Una rosa de Francia (México)

11 Carlos Campos y su Danzonera - Mujer (México)

12 Los Xochimilcas - Teléfono a larga distancia (México)

13 Danzonera Dimas - Lágrimas negras (México)

14 Mariano Merceron - Mi amigo Pancho (Cuba)

15 Felipe Pérez - El Acahual (Cuba)

16 Orquesta la Moderna Tradición - Clavelitos (Cuba-USA)

 


 

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