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El choclo

El choclo is a Tango written by Angel Villoldo and recorded by Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) in 1987. Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán) has recorded El choclo as an instrumental Tango.
“El Choclo,” translated as “The Corncob,” weaves a rich tapestry of sound and sentiment. This iconic tango’s name evokes the earthy connection between the joyous dance and the simple elegance of rural life. The music, much like the golden cornfields, sways with a timeless rhythm, capturing the heart’s nostalgia and the spirit’s boundless sway.

Tango

Style

Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán)

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

Angel Villoldo

Author

Angel Villoldo

Composer

1987/1/1

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán)
Nuevo Quinteto Real (Horacio Salgán)

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El choclo recorded by other Orchestras

El choclo recorded by other Orchestras

Letra del Tango El choclo

Vieja milonga

que en mi horas de tristeza,

traes a mi mente

tu recuerdo cariñoso

y encadenandome a tus notas.

Dulcemente,

siento que el alma

se me encoje poco a poco.



Hoy que los años

han blanqueado ya mis sienes,

tango querido,

viejo tango que me embarga,

con la cadencia

de su musica sentida,

recuerdo aquella epoca,

tan linda que se fue.

English lyrics of the Tango "El choclo"

Old milonga

that in my hours of sadness,

brings to my mind

your affectionate memory

and chaining me to your notes.

Sweetly,

I feel that my soul

gradually shrinks.

Today that the years

have already whitened my temples,

dear tango,

old tango that overwhelms me,

with the cadence

of its heartfelt music,

I remember that time,

so beautiful that has gone.

El choclo by Angel Villoldo

El choclo is a Tango written by Angel Villoldo and composed by Angel Villoldo.



Story behind the Tango El choclo

“El choclo” refers to corn but is colloquially understood in Argentine Spanish as the “top of the crop,” symbolizing the best or a cherished item. The lyricist, reflecting on older times through the lens of tango, captures a nostalgia that intertwines personal histories with the evolution of this dance form. This tango delves into the theme of memory and longing, structured around the profound connection the narrator has with the music that marked significant moments of his past.



Symbolism of El choclo

The milonga here represents more than a dance; it symbolizes a portal to bygone days, offering solace amidst sorrows. The repeated nostalgic phrases invite listeners into a shared space of reflection. Key phrases like “vieja milonga,” suggesting the timeless value of tango, and “que en mi horas de tristeza,” indicating its comforting role, enrich the emotive depth of the piece. The imagery of the soul shrinking “poco a poco” conveys a gradual surrender to the overwhelming emotions the music evokes, coloring the tango with tones of melancholic beauty and introspection.



El choclo in historic Context

Although attributed to 1987 in this inquiry, “El choclo” substantially precedes that date, with its origins actually tracing back to the early 1900s. This discrepancy highlights the song’s enduring appeal and its profound roots in Argentine culture. The historic context when tango mirrored societal transformations in Argentina is crucial. As tango moved from the margin to the mainstream, it gathered symbolic meanings, shaping national identity. The references to “aquellos años” (those years) and “mi sienes” (my temples) not only ground the speaker’s experience in personal history but also mirror the cultural shifts witnessed by society.



Angel Villoldo

Angel Villoldo was an Argentine musician often dubbed the “father of tango.” He played a pivotal role in the genre’s early development and popularization within Argentina.