Quinteto Pirincho - La Cumparsita

July 9/Argentina -- Argentina declared itself independent from Spain on this date in 1816. Soon thereafter, the young nation experienced several waves of immigration from European countries, and the population levels of its larger cities, particularly Buenos Aires, grew quickly. Although its citizens were elated in 1816 to be done with the repressive obligations to the Spanish crown, Argentines have always embraced their European roots. Tango music, inextricably linked with the associated dance, is the country's signature art form and displays considerable European influence. Elements of Spanish, Italian, Jewish and Eastern European musical characteristics found their way into the burgeoning style in the 1880s. But a critical ingredient in this musical synthesis is the influence of African musical styles as well, which came by way of African slaves who were brought to South America, and this makes the tango distinct from its European counterparts. In 2009 tango was included on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Released in 2003, this is La Cumparsita, performed by Quinteto Pirincho.