One of the most colorful and interesting South American composers is the Argentinian, Alberto Ginastera (1916-1983). Ginastera's fame as Argentina's leading nationalist composer was established in 1941 with the composition of the ballet score for Estancia. Unfortunately, the ballet was not performed as a dance until 1952, since the ballet company that commissioned it dissolved. Ginastera was undaunted, though, and soon created the four-movement symphonic suite that is most often heard today.

An Estancia is an ranch of the Pampas, the land of the famous gauchos (cowboys). Ginastera based his work on a poem +artin Fierro by Jose Hernandez. It tells a simple story of a boy from the city who comes to a ranch and falls in love. When he proves himself the equal of the dashing gauchos he wins his girl's affections.

The four movements are rich in rhythms and tunes from Argentinian folklore. The workers and cattle men are represented by strong, primitive rhythms in vivid contrast with the delicate, haunting melody of the "Wheat Dance." The Malambo of the final dance is in a vigorous style used for the justas (jousts) by the gauchos. In the ballet's final scenes the young boy from the city wins just such a joust to prove his worth in the eyes of his beloved.