Tango: The Art History of Love

by Robert Farris Thompson, David Byrne (Foreword)

In this generously illustrated book, world-renowned Yale art historian Robert Farris Thompson gives us the definitive account of tango, " the fabulous dance of the past hundred years–and the most beautiful, in the opinion of Martha Graham.”

Thompson traces tango’s evolution in the nineteenth century under European, Andalusian-Gaucho, and African influences through its representations by Hollywood and dramatizations in dance halls throughout the world. He shows us tango not only as brilliant choreography but also as text, music, art, and philosophy of life. Passionately argued and unparalleled in its research, its synthesis, and its depth of understanding, Tango: The Art History of Love is a monumental achievement.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Music, Art

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Robert Farris Thompson is a professor of the Art History at Yale University. He specializes in African and African-American art.

Reviews

[Monty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deeply researched history of the African roots of tango. I only made it through the first few chapters before returning it to the library. When I have the time I'll take it out again and continue.

I really appreciated the quick bios of the major Tango poets/lyricists. Their lives and the cultural contexts helped me understand the development of Tango as an art form.

[Jessa Leads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading about the connection and dancefloor chemistry that is unique to Tango. Beautifully written.

[Tekla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scholarly, but with frequent poetic turns of phrase and full of appreciation for his subject he ends with

"I thank God for its sheer existence".

He must have felt quite a bit of push-back against his thesis that African music traditions are strongly present in the tango because he gets somewhat repetitive in presenting this information. And someday, I hope someone details the lives and contributions of the women to the extent that this book covers the men's stories.
Overall, a very interesting and enlightening history.

[Alex TangoFuego · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're into tango music/history/culture, the early genesis and evolution of tango, this is a must-read...

[Tenghe Keita]

bratz-fianna

[Marjorie Jensen]

A few thoughts about this book are on my dance blog:
https://maenadwordsmith.substack.com/...

[Mihir T Desai · Rating 4 out of 5]

The gist of the book is that Tango can trace its history to tribal dances in west Africa. It is said that Tango is the daughter of Milonga (dance form) which is itself the child of Candombe, a potpourri creation of West African dances in Argentina and Uruguay in the 19th century. The author makes a compelling argument that the dance and music, including its instruments owe so much to the Black community that was forcibly relocated to distant lands, made to work under heinous conditions and is today nonexistent in the dance, indeed in the country, despite the community’s musical and population representation over 100 years ago.

Robert Thompson’s book is one of those that you purchase and brag to friends but never bother reading page to page unless you’re planning to do a thesis on the history of the Tango. And yet you are so immensely thankful that such serious academic work exists. I am saying this as a tango aficionado.

[Huizi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Depending on what one is looking for in the book, you may enjoy different sections. My favorite sections are absolutely the history (the Africa heritage, shaped by people living on the margin), tango as texts (poems as lyrics), milonga as the great BA conversion, tango as music and as dance.

One can see clearly that Argentina tango has been constantly developing its form. Thus an overview book like this that focuses on the artistic and historical part of it really helps to build up a perspective with time. And specially for a tango beginner, this book shows what you are really getting into.

On the outside it looks as steps become brush strokes, pose becomes picture. Blends of dance elements burst into being, open-ended yet structured. But the inside as I see it is about rediscovering self through emotional connections expressed in esthetics. It is nostalgic yet timeless.

Legendary Argentina tango dancers left us images and film that time cannot touch, but more importantly, it seems to be suggested in this book that every tango dancer can make 'forever begins tonight' as Rita Hayworth sang in movie 'Gilda'.

Life becomes a narrative when you dance 'La cumparsita' - Miguel Franco was probably right.

[Anil · Rating 3 out of 5]

An illuminating study with some wonderful wordcraft. Although the title doesn't tell it at all, this book is really about the African role in the development of the tango, and sprawls out to discuss at length a handful of other African music/dance forms in the Americas. The amount of space devoted to things other than the tango--perhaps half the book--indicates how scarce solid historical evidence is of the now nearly disappeared Afro-Argentine community. As a result, Thompson dwells too long and makes too much of the little data that are forthcoming. Neither airtight as an argument nor quite flowing as a narrative, the book sometimes degenerates into free-association or, on the other hand, a catalogue of names and places; and one then gets the sense that Thompson is either showing off or trying to leave a database to posterity. But at it's best, it's history as music and dance in print.

[Glenn Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never knew there was so much to the tango until I read this book. The author clearly is very passionate about tango, the history of tango and the different cultures and dance styles that merged into tango. He broke this book down to the history, the cultures, the music and the dance. Cultures from Cuba, Spain, Moorish Spain, Kongo, Yoruba and others scattered all feature into the development of the Tango. From early recording, early movies to modern movies and current musicians (Pablo Aslan is featured!) this book makes for an interesting read and makes for a desire to visit Buenos Aires.

[Ellis Amdur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thompson writes of the unacknowledged African roots in Tango, tracing things back to the Kongo, a culture for whom movement and dance were the living language of worship. The best and most luscious book on any art form that I've ever read. Thompson describes the Kongo as an exemplar of a high-art civilization, bringing dance to an epitome of sophistication. Each gesture had meaning, and these gestures have been transmitted in forms as varied as tango and the drum major's strut.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

How am I reading a book that is doing such a thorough job tracking the roots of dance in South America through nuance and meaning to Africa and Europe BUT iS YET TO LOOK AT THE LOCAL INDIGENOUS INFLUENCES?

So far, this author seems to be totally unaware there are also local indigenous dance influences to concideration.

[Maureen · Rating 2 out of 5]

More than you ever wanted to know about the African origins of tango. I agree with another review that there wasn't much of a coherent narrative or theme in the book, and it really read like a mix of free association and catalogs of famous dancers, musicians, and writers.

[Kameel Nasr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Farris Thompson presents a detailed history of the Tango. It may be too detailed for Tango dancers since in delves into that history like no other account. All the threads of this rich history are detailed, including names and places, lyrics and philosophy.

[Loulou M · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not a book on tango..it's an incredible voyage through the history of the most sensual,rich and nostalgic dance of the world. Dense of citations, images and culture. Unforgettable.

[Marta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I skimmed this book but it was a great reference book if you'd like to know more about this topic. Robert Farris Thompson is always doing something interesting.

[Nuria · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice how he showed a passionate feel to tango. It is well understood

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

so.much.detail. so much! the source material for a better book someday, one hopes.