Juan Joaquín Ulises Cassinelli (born 1889 in Argentina) was an influential Argentine guitarist, composer, and arranger of the early-to-mid 20th century. He active during the golden era of Rio de la Plata guitar music, a time when the classical European guitar tradition merged with the emerging folk music of South America.
Cassinelli’s work is characterized by the artful adaptation of traditional Argentine dances and rhythms for the classical guitar. His pieces were published by prestigious institutions in Buenos Aires, including the legendary Antigua Casa Núñez and Gornatti Hnos..
Some of his most significant and widely performed compositions include:
- Iguazú (Gato Zapateado): A virtuoso piece written in the rhythm of the traditional Gato, mimicking the percussive footwork (Zapateado) of the dancers.
- El Paria (Estilo Sentimental): A deeply emotional piece originally written for voice and guitar (or solo guitar) in the nostalgic style of rural Estilos.
- Mi Paloma (Vidalita): A lyrical creation based on the melancholic melodic lines of the Vidalita folklore genre.
- Cielito (Vals) & Muñequita (Gavotta): Notable examples of his ability to blend European dance forms (Waltz and Gavotte) with a distinct South American flair.
- Tango Compositions: In addition to folklore, he contributed to urban music with tangos such as Don Goyo and Gigolo de Luxe.
During the 1930s and 1940s, Cassinelli belonged to the inner circle of the Argentine guitar renaissance. Alongside contemporaries like María Luisa Anido, Abel Fleury, and Jorge Gómez Crespo, he shaped the Nacionalismo Musical movement on the guitar. He played a crucial role in elevating native folklore from rural regions into the urban concert halls of Buenos Aires. His compositions permanently enriched the classical guitar repertoire by technical adaptation of the rhythmic complexity and harmonic warmth characteristic of the South American soul.
