Musical Traditions of South America: A Diverse Tapestry
1. Tonada: A Quintessential Chilean Song
Originating in Spain, the tonada holds a special place in Chilean musical tradition. Traditionally performed by a female voice, it is also rendered by duets or groups of three or four singers.
Criteria for Classifying Tonadas
Two main criteria determine the different types of tonadas:
- The poetic form employed.
- The function or occasion for which it is sung.
For instance, a tonada sung at a wedding is called a parabien (well-wishing), while one sung for a birthday or saint’s day is an esquinazo. A Christmas tonada is known as a villancico.
2. Villancico: Religious Tonada of Chile
The term “religious tonada” encompasses tonadas that express popular Catholic devotion, paying tribute to saints, the death of Christ, the Cross, and other religious themes.
3. Milonga: A Multifaceted Genre of Argentina
The milonga exists in several forms:
- Instrumental Milonga: Played solely on the guitar.
- Sung Milonga: Featuring either composed poetry (sung by one singer) or improvised poetry (sung by two singers).
- Dance Milonga: Accompanying a dance for couples.
The first three forms have endured and are primarily associated with the guitar. The dance form emerged in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay, in the late 19th century. It remains popular in some urban areas, performed by professional musicians and linked to the tango repertoire and instrumentation.
4. Milonga Pampeana: The Song of the Pampas
The instrumental milonga is predominantly played by men and enjoys widespread popularity in the Pampas region of Argentina and throughout Uruguay. However, the most common form is the milonga song accompanied by a guitar, often referred to as milonga pampeana. In this type, the guitar accompaniment primarily supports the lyrics, playing a more prominent role only in the introduction and interludes.
5. Tango Argentino: The Soul of Buenos Aires
Born in the lower-class districts of Buenos Aires, the tango’s music blends various European musical forms. Considered a child of the milonga and a grandchild of the habanera, it is deeply rooted in the Rio de la Plata region.
Characteristics of the Tango
- Dance: Characterized by close embrace and passionate, almost violent movements.
- Lyrics: Emotional, sentimental, and sometimes melancholic.
- Music: Often in a minor key, with abrupt rhythmic and dynamic contrasts. The accompaniment typically features sharp accents on all beats, interspersed with sudden pauses and syncopated passages.
- Instrumentation: Includes solo voice and guitar; trios with violin, flute, and guitar or bandoneon (accordion); and larger ensembles with bandoneones, strings, and piano.
6. Milonga Bailada: The Danced Milonga
The milonga bailada (danced milonga) was prevalent in Argentina and Uruguay at the end of the 19th century. In Montevideo, its choreography was significantly influenced by the African-Uruguayan community.
7. Si Supieras (La Cumparsita): A Tale of Authorship
Gerardo Matos Rodriguez, the composer of the world’s most famous tango, “La Cumparsita,” sold his authorship rights for a meager sum. After achieving widespread fame, he spent years in legal battles to reclaim his rights, eventually succeeding on the grounds that he was a minor at the time of the sale.
8. Yaravi de Despedida: A Farewell Song from Peru
The harawi, a pre-Hispanic song genre, persists in the southern Andes. Other enduring genres include the yaravi and the carnaval.
Characteristics of Andean Song Genres
- Yaravi: A slow, lyrical mestizo song.
- Harawi: Associated with ceremonies, rituals (farewells, marriages), and agricultural labor.
- Carnaval: A song and dance genre with strong colonial influences, performed during the carnival festivities.
9. Peruvian Harp from the Andes: A Unique Voice
The Spanish introduced European stringed instruments like the guitar, violin, and harp to Peru. Peruvian musicians quickly adapted these instruments, creating their own distinct versions. The Andean harp, with its large, boat-shaped, half-conical soundbox, adds a deep bass voice to Peruvian ensembles.
10. Candombe: The Rhythmic Heartbeat of Uruguay
Candombe (pronounced can-dome-bey) is an African-derived rhythm integral to Uruguayan culture for over two centuries. Brought to Uruguay by enslaved Africans, it continues to resonate in streets, halls, and carnivals.
Elements of Candombe
- Drums: Three drums—tambor piano, tambor chico, and tambor repique—create the candombe rhythm.
- Cuerda (Rope): Refers to the ensemble of these three drums.
- Performance: A cuerda typically consists of at least three people, each playing one of the drums.