Pasillo

Pasillo (English: little step) is a South American genre of music extremely popular in the territories that composed 19th century Gran Colombia: Colombia; Ecuador, where it is considered the national musical style; and to a lesser extent in the mountainous regions of Venezuela and Panamá. It's worth mentioning that Venezuelans refer to this style of music as: "vals" (Spanish for "Waltz").

Today, it has incorporated more European features of classical dance, such as Viennese waltz. As it spread during the Gran Colombia period, pasillo also absorbed the individual characteristics of isolated villages. This gives it an eclectic feel; however, the style, tone, and tempo of the music differ in each village, and indeed between each country.

In its waltz, pasillo alters the classically European dance form to accompany guitar, mandolin, and other string instruments.

History

Invented in the 19th century, pasillo became closely associated with the Ecuadorian War of Independence and Ecuadorian nationalism.

Pasillo gained in popularity from the recordings of the duet "Ecuador", once performed by Enrique Ibañez Mora and Nicasio Safadi. It reached its apex during the career of Julio Jaramillo.

Younger generations of Ecuadorians still enjoy pasillos.

Paillo has been a very popular style of music in Colombia since the 19th century. Famous Colombian Pasillos include: Espumas, Pueblito Viejo, Pescador Lucero y Rio, and Oropel. Colombian artists such as Silva y Villalba and Garzon y Collazos have helped popularize pasillo around the world.

Composers

• Julio Baba
• Enrique Espín Yépez
• Vicente Gómez Gudiño
• Jacobo Palm
• José Luis Rodríguez Vélez
• Carlos Vieco
• German Dario Perez
• Oriol Rangel

Sources

• Bethell, Leslie; Gordon Brotherston, Jaime Concha, Gerard Behague, Damian Bayon (1998). A Cultural History of Latin America. Cambridge University Press. p. 362. ISBN 0521626269. 
• Vernon, Paul (1995). Ethnic and Vernacular Music. Greenwood Press. p. 2553. ISBN 0313295530.