description El Africano Overview
El Africano is an instrumental Argentine tango composed by bandoneonist Anselmo Aieta in 1927 during the Guardia Vieja (Old Guard) period of tango development. The composition features characteristic rhythmic patterns and melodic structures typical of tango music from this era, with arrangements that highlight the bandoneón's expressive capabilities. Despite its title suggesting African influences, the piece follows traditional tango compositional forms. El Africano entered the standard tango repertoire and has been recorded by numerous prominent orchestras throughout tango's evolution, including performances by artists such as Carlos Di Sarli.
help El Africano FAQ
Who composed the tango El Africano and when?
'El Africano' was composed by Argentine bandoneonist Anselmo Aieta in 1927, during the Guardia Vieja (Old Guard) era of tango. Aieta was a notable figure in early tango and also led his own orchestra, which performed in Buenos Aires during the golden age of the genre.
Is El Africano an instrumental tango or does it have lyrics?
El Africano was originally composed as an instrumental piece in the Guardia Vieja style, which predates the heavily lyric-driven tango canción of the later Golden Age. Many compositions from this era emphasized melodic and rhythmic instrumental interplay between bandoneon, violin, and piano over sung poetry.
What period of tango does El Africano belong to?
El Africano belongs to the Guardia Vieja (Old Guard) period of tango, which roughly spans from the late 19th century through the late 1920s. This era is characterized by a more rhythmic, dance-oriented style of tango, before the transformative innovations of orchestras like those of Aníbal Troilo, Osvaldo Pugliese, and Astor Piazzolla in subsequent decades.
What instrument did Anselmo Aieta play?
Anselmo Aieta was a bandoneonist, the essential instrument of traditional tango music. He also led his own tango orchestra in Buenos Aires, and as a composer contributed several pieces to the Guardia Vieja repertoire beyond El Africano.
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