5 Canciones populares argentinas

By 1943, when Ginastera set his collection of five popular Argentinean songs, artists and intellectuals in Argentina were feeling threatened by a darkening political climate. Juan Perón would come to power three years later, a strongman figure whom Ginastera openly criticised, and which prompted his dismissal from teaching positions at state-run institutions. In arranging this set of folk songs—comprising new settings of existing melodies as well as entirely new themes—Ginastera may have expressed a longing for a simpler past. Consisting of five songs for solo voice and piano, the Cinco canciones populares argentinas present images from Argentinean landscapes and culture. “Chacarera” is a lighthearted dance with roots in the central Pampas. “Triste”, a nostalgic look at unrequited love, is rooted in a traditional song of the Quechua people. “Zamba” also addresses this theme and is built on a lilting dance of Peruvian origin. “Arrorró” is a traditional lullaby and stands apart as being unaltered from its source material. Finishing the set is “Gato”, or “cat dance”, a descendent of the Spanish romanza and is dotted with raucous, joyous outbursts.