Milonga
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Milonga is an Argentinian, Uruguayan and Southern Brazilian form of music, as dance, as the term for the place where tango is danced. The term milonga comes from a similar expression that means "lyrics."
Milonga is also the term given to a tango party, see: Milonga (place).
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[edit] Music
The Milonga originated in the Río de la Plata area of Argentina and Uruguay, and has its roots from various European Music. It was very popular in the 1870s. The Milonga was derived from an earlier style of singing known as the payada de contrapunto.
The song was set to a lively 2/4 tempo, and often included musical improvisation. Over time, dance steps and other musical influences were added, eventually giving rise to the tango. Despite 2/4 formula, rhythm is irregular. It is syncopated, consisting of 8 beats with accents on the 1st, (sometimes also 2nd) 4th, 5th and 7th beats.
- Regular 2/4
[1] 2 3 4 [5] 6 7 8
- Milonga
[1] 2 3 [4] [5] 6 [7] 8, sometimes also [1] [2] 3 [4] [5] 6 [7] 8
- 332
[1] 2 3 [4] 5 6 [7] 8
[edit] Dance
Milonga uses the same basic elements as Tango, and requires a greater relaxation of legs and body. Movement is normally faster, and pauses are not made. It is rather a kind of rhythmic walking without complicated figures, with a much more "rustic" style than Tango.
There are different styles of Milonga: Milonga Lisa (Simple Milonga), in which the dancer steps on every beat of the music; and Milonga con Traspié, in which the dancer uses Traspiés or contrapasos (changes of weight from one foot to the other and back again in double time or three steps in two beats) to interpret the music. Thus, dynamics may be danced without having to run fast or without the use of much space.
[edit] Artists
Uruguayan and Argentine artists known for their milonga compositions and interpretations include Roberto Firpo, Angel D`Agostino, Pedro Laurenz, Francisco Canaro, Rodolfo Biagi, Juan D`Arienzo, Edgardo Donato, Anibal Troilo, Lucio Demare, Domingo Federico, Angel D’Agostino, Angel Vargas, Mariano Mores, Francisco Lomuto and Carlos Di Sarli. These artists are from the early years and the Golden era of tango.
Kevin Johansen is a modern Argentine rock artist who has a number of songs that combine folkloric and pop music with a milonga rhythm.
