1129  Egyptian tango?

Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2003 10:53:52 EST
From: Charles Roques <Crrtango@AOL.COM>
Subject: Egyptian tango?

<<<But I do know, that belly dance, which they do have in
all Arabian countries, has had an influence on the development of Flamenco
(the gypsies passed through Egypt and those areas, check the movie "Latcho
Drom" for that). And Flamenco is one of the roots of tango....>>>

That's a bit of a stretch Astrid, :-) connecting belly dancing to tango. And
Flamenco wasn't really an influence either but the habanera, which has
origins in Cuba and traveled to Spain and Argentina, was. There are echos of
habanera rhythm (as in Bizet's "Carmen") in tango, but it didn't come from
Spain, it just sounds that way- it's Cuban. BTW the Romani, who never call
themselves gypsies, originated in India, and got their name "gypsies" because
they passed through Egypt and people incorrectly thought they came from there
(short for "egyptians"). Another example of mistaken cultural stereotyping
and the source of the verb, "to gyp" someone out of their money.

Cheers,
Charles

Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2003 09:59:36 -0800
From: Bruno <romerob@TELUSPLANET.NET>
Subject: Re: Egyptian tango?

Otmar Lieber was in Calgary 4-5 years ago with a show which featured belly
dancing and belly dancing music (percussion instruments). Great show to see
the belly dancer use two swords in her act/dance. At some point in the show
Otmar Lieber began playing flamenco music on top of the basic musical rhythm
used in the belly dancing music. It was very enlightening.

Bruno

Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2003 10:37:07 -0800
From: Bruno <romerob@TELUSPLANET.NET>
Subject: Re: Egyptian tango?

Here is my two cents worth of comments:

The antique Argentine Tango was influenced by the Tango Habanera, which
bears no resemblance to the Argentine Tango we know today. The Tango
Habanera came about from two types of Tango: the Milonga with its influence
in the guajira flamenca and the Tango andaluz or Tango flamenco. The Milonga
was danced and played by country side people of Argentina. The Tango
Habanera was an amalgamation of the Habanera and the Tango Andaluz or Tango
Flamenco.

The rhythm of the guitars playing the Tango flamenco or andaluz could not be
reproduced in orchestra instruments and with the piano, so the Tango andaluz
or flamenco was modified with the habanera rhythm. The Tango Habanera was
heard in 1883 but died towards the end of the century. The Tango Habanera
has been entirely associated with the first forms of Argentine Tango.

Sources: Maria del Carmen Silingo Tango Books 1, 2, 3, 4

Regards,

Bruno

Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2003 11:00:47 -0800
From: Bruno <romerob@TELUSPLANET.NET>
Subject: Re: Egyptian tango?

There is a good example of an habanera in "Nocturno a Rosario" played by the
Cuarteto de Punta y Taco from Rosario, Argentina. This group was and is well
knows for playing Tangos Canyengues and Tango valses.

Bruno