Argentine Tango - The Music
Tango music stems from a fusion of cultures from the countryside of Argentina / Uruguay together with the melodies of European immigrants.
The rich variety of music styles, arrangements and performances stand on their own merit and yet are rarely, or never, heard on UK radio and television.
Tango dance music, mainly recorded in Buenos Aires (between the 1920s and 1960s) is familiar and well-loved by UK tango dancers but again remains completely unknown to the UK public. The distinctive sound has a strong rhythmic structure with syncopated beats, dramatic pauses and is characterised by its melancholic melodies.
The typical dance orchestra consists of bandoneóns (a form of accordion), violins, a piano, and double bass. The dance music consists of both instrumental and sung tangos. The lyrics of tangos often explore themes of love, loss, nostalgia, and longing, with some light-hearted ones to lift the mood!
In the UK we have many talented tango musicians that perform for the listening public as well as for tango dancers. See our Live Music page for details of some of the wonderful talent available in the UK.
Argentine tango music is played regularly on online radio stations. One of the best known is Argentine Tango Radio
Click the button below to hear this radio station and some wonderful Argentine tango music
The range of tango music available is extensive but we have included a sample here: a video of a contemporary orchestra from Buenos Aires and a Spotify link (created by Steve and Debbie Morrall, tango teachers and organisers in Hampshire ) of tangos that were recorded in Buenos Aires during the 1930s/50s.