Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
Style
Orchestra
Singer
Author
Composer
Date
These Tangos, Valses, and Milongas were recorded around the same time. Take a look to discover what else this orchestra—or others—may have recorded during the same week or even on the exact same day.
Candombe rioplatense is a Tango written by Carmelo Santiago and composed by Pintín Castellanos.
The lyrics of “Candombe rioplatense” echo the sounds and rhythms typical of the candombe, a dance and musical style rooted in the Afro-Uruguayan community but also widely celebrated in Argentina. The mention of “El Río de la Plata” situates the song geographically, alluding to the cultural blend of Uruguay and Argentina, often mirrored in candombe music. The song’s depiction of the moon likened to “a tin disk” illuminates the everyday simplicity and rustic charm of the scene, highlighting the inherent beauty of cultural traditions living vibrantly beneath the night sky.
Key phrases such as “Brilla en el cielo, la luna”, “Zumba y retumba la zamba,” and “Su padre nació argentino / Y su madre era uruguaya,” reflect a rich interplay of symbolism and cultural identity. The moon, often a symbol of constancy and enlightenment, oversees and connects the festive scene below. The vibrant, echoing sounds of the zamba against the candombe drums underscore a dynamic cultural celebration. The mix of parental heritage symbolizes the blending of cultures along the Rio de la Plata, embodying a shared heritage that transcends national boundaries, embracing a unified Rio de la Plata identity.
Recorded in 1943, a period of significant cultural and social transformation globally, “Candombe rioplatense” manages to capture a snapshot of local traditions persisting through tumultuous times. In this era, Argentina and Uruguay might have been experiencing nationalistic pressures, but the shared cultural expression through candombe suggests an inherent rejection of divisive national rhetoric, promoting instead a regional solidarity. The candombe, itself rooted in historical practices of African slaves in the region, becomes a powerful expression of resilience and cultural amalgamation.
Carmelo Santiago, a noted figure in the realm of Argentine tango, focused on encapsulating the cultural nuances of his era through evocative lyrics and collaborations with significant composers like Pintín Castellanos.