Modern Tango World N° 3 (Buenos Aires, Argentina) | Page 8

What’s happening in Buenos Aires?
Fabio Rodriguez
The images of Astor Piazzolla, Aníbal Troilo, Osvaldo Pugliese, Horacio Salgán and others linger around us. In order to understand the current tango scene in Argentina, you need to look a
little into the past. Like the most musical genres in the world, tango had a beginning, then a resistance
on the part of society, and finally mass acceptance in communion with the media and the assumption
of its place in popular culture.
From the mid-fifties, political processes delayed
the development of a national culture. In general,
the tango stopped being spread and gradually lost
interest, especially among young people. Certain
sectors of the tango could be found. But, it was
difficult to accept and understand new patterns
in avmodern society. The mass arrival of television,
divided opinions of what is understood as tango
or not tango. And, tango failed to live within the
community. Indeed, many sectors came into open
confrontation with the new generations who were
inclined to musical culture that rose from rock, in
Argentina. Tango lost the support of record labels,
and had to take shelter, find new markets, reduce
or eliminate something key to its structure, such as
the orchestra tipica.
Despite this past, the cultural value of tango always persisted. It may be debatable whether the
tango is the most popular music in Argentina.
Now, in the suburbs, where the first tango steps
were taken, many places have been taken over by
other types of music that more clearly reflect the
people’s daily lives. But, tango remains a current
cultural phenomenon, that has managed to survive
these cultural changes. It has lived in the same exile that many Argentine people.
Modern tango composers often respond to contemporary issues with modern aesthetics, incorporating sounds drawn from modern life. Today,
tango has been rediscovered as a living entity. it
is one of the major musical genres of the world.
Traffic on the Internet indicates that tango in an
unimaginable following.

The works of Astor Piazzolla and many others
of that period became part of the reper toire of
these groups throughout the world, from the electronic tango, philharmonic orchestras, to chamber
orchestras. Search Google anywhere in the world
for the word tango. You will always find something.
There is different situation when considering tango
as a dance phenomenon. In Argentina, during the
1980s, tango was barely visible, except for a small
world for tourists. And, that dancing was limited in
it scope. Today, there are dozens of milongas every day, featuring wonderful exhibitions of dancing.
They are always hypnotic in their effect and full of
sensuality, a truly unique experience in the world.
Tango is now accepted and enjoyed in all its forms.
It lives in the Tribute Orchestras with their fundamental forms of tango of Don Osvaldo Pugliese,
Juan D’Arienzo, Ricardo Tanturi. Tango also lived
in artistic renewal begun by the great Astor Piazzolla, and only with groups that continue his movement. There is intimate tango with many enjoyable
forms of piano and voice ensembles. It lives in the
wonderful Creole Style, Gardel School and in the
new sound of tango fusion.
Today, the vain polemics that divided the ears of
the Argentines are far away. The names of Noelia
Moncada Luis Filipelli, San Telmo Lounge, Cucuza
Castiello, Aureliano Marin, Guillermo Fernandez,
Maria Volonte are just a few examples of the many
excellent musical groups that are part of Argentine
tango culture.

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