Re: [TANGO-L] Introduction of Tango to Paris

[Bruno <romerob @TELUSPLANET.NET>]

David Koucky wrote:

>Another question concerns the European and United States Idea of Tango
Music.  We generally think the Tango became sad around 1917.  This is about
the time that the tune Lita becomes Mi Noche Triste.  If tango arrived be
fore this date, then where did the melodrama of the continental music come
from? < 

Another opinion:

(From Andres M. Carretero)

Strangely enough the popularity of Tango in Paris and its spread to other
main European cities meant a change in its rhythm. The tango was transformed
from upbeat, quick, and lively (picadito) into melancholic, slow, melodic,
and with accentuated measures. This was to simulate the orderly lifestyle of
the well to do people of those times -- meaning no surprises, and blunt
changes in the music. 

Some argue that the bandoneon as lead instrument and conductor of the tango
music progressively took away and irreversibly the quick rhythm from the
Milonga inherent in the Tango. Others argue that the inclusion of the
singers was responsible for the change from quick to slow rhythm in Tango. 

One area which has not been considered was the lack of dance skills of the
new dancers who were massively and incrementally joining in the dances
daily. This can be validated through the national and municipal census
between 1869 and 1914, especially for people of the ages between 20 - 40
years old. The social dances assured a minimal social life.

Since it was not easy to incorporate so many people at once as dancers, who
lacked basic knowledge of the tango choreography, there were two ways to
facilitate their incorporation into the tango dance.
One, consisted in making the tango rhythm slow, and two, was in simplifying
the tango choreography. Also, should be factored in the time taken to bring
up to speed the musicians who were musically illiterate to learn musical
theory, and proper use of the instruments. However, once these skills were
learned they were put to use to improve musicality rather than in speeding
up the music.

These changes in the tango music and choreography allowed newcomers to
better learn the tango steps and prevented them from being object of
ridicule on the dance floor. This may be the beginnings of the Tango Liso in
the Tango.


Best regards,

Bruno