Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
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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.
De pura cepa is a Tango written by Osvaldo Sosa Cordero and composed by José Ceglie.
“De pura cepa” is a tribute to the milonga, a musical genre and dance that is a predecessor to tango. The lyrics pay homage to the milonga, portraying it as an essential and undying part of Argentine culture, despite tango’s rise to fame. Cordero brings to life the milonga’s vibrancy and resilience, underscoring its enduring place in the hearts of those who value tradition. The song expresses a deep longing and respect for the simplistic yet profound impact of the milonga on Argentina’s cultural landscape.
The phrase “De pura cepa,” translates to “of pure breed” or “true to its roots,” indicating something genuine and traditional. This symbolism is extensively used to emphasize the authenticity and cultural significance of the milonga. Throughout the song, the milonga is personified as a humble yet beautiful entity— “lindaza como la aurora, sencilla como el percal”—which compares its simplicity and charm to dawn’s beauty and the plainness of calico fabric. These images conjure a sense of purity and truthfulness, integral to the milonga, and by extension, to Argentine culture. The consistent repetition of “milonga tradicional” serves as a refrain, reinforcing its importance and Cordero’s pride in this musical form.
Written in 1953, a period when tango had largely overshadowed other forms of traditional Argentine music, “De pura cepa” emerges as a cultural assertion. It was a time when Argentina was experiencing significant political and social changes, and there was a strong movement towards modernization. In this context, the milonga was seen as a vestige of a simpler, rural past that was rapidly fading from the national consciousness. Osvaldo Sosa Cordero, through this composition, resisted the fading of this genre and sought to honor its foundational role in Argentine music. By calling the milonga the “mother of tango,” he acknowledges its evolution but also criticizes the modern tango for forgetting its roots, represented metaphorically as a neglectful child who forgets its parent once it gains prominence.
Osvaldo Sosa Cordero was an influential Argentine folklorist, poet, and musician known for his staunch dedication to preserving and celebrating Argentine folk music and culture.