Milonga

“Milonga” is a flamenco style created by returnees, artists, settlers and soldiers who returned from the colonies in the late 19th century. In their songs, they evoke the American lands.

 

"Milonga” from Argentina is a style that comes from the "payada de contrapunto" and has deep connections in the rhythmic-metric and harmonic plane with tango from Antilles and “habanera”. The evolution of “milonga” from Argentina, until it reached its final style, began probably with "Yarabi" and other styles or "tristes". In 1860, “triste” turns into “milonga” and was very popular between 1880 and 1910.

 

The first “milonga” with flamenco character and "tango-tiento" rhythm is the one that Pepa Oro (bullfighter Paco de Oro’s daughter) popularised when she arrived in Spain at the end of 19th century. It is a style that comes from the choreographic “milonga” to be singing while dancing. “Milonga” singing is syllabic. There are also some “milongas” recordings with some combinations, such as introducing a “fandango” or a “milonga with bulerías”. Rhythm is based on the “tangos-tientos” metric, but they are sometimes performed without it in order to be free.

 

Among “milonga” artists, we can find important artists such as Antonio Sevillano, Angelillo, Pastora Pavon, Paco Flores, Niña de la Puebla, Juan Valderrama, Pepe Albaicin, Carmen Linares and Enrique Morente.