Carlos Guastavino, who lived from 1912 to 2000, is one of the most recognized and prolific Argentine composers and pianists of the 20th century. He composed and performed his neo-romantic works amidst the political turmoil and upheaval that took place in Argentina throughout his life. His music has strong nationalistic influences. Guastavino composed Tonada y Cueca for clarinet and piano.
The Tonada is a folk music style of Spain and other countries of Hispanic America, including Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Venezuela. In Argentina the Tonada is a love song. The Cueca is a social, recreational couple dance of Peru, which is directly related to the national dance of Chile, the cueca or chilena, named in honour of the seamen who died in the War of the Pacific against Chile.
