Variations on the Milk Cow? (Perhaps Bernhard has a lead)

[odsum25]

I remember hearing a set of variations on the radio by some obscure South American composer, (Argentinian perhaps?) on a folk song translated as The Milk Cow.  I have searched for it, but no luck. The variations go through time, imitating the styles of various composers from Bach and Handel all the way to the twentieth century.  I'm wondering  if anyone has a remote idea of what I'm talking about and could assist me in my quest for this (probably justly) neglected music. It was by no means a great work, but would be fun to play around with, and who knows? It might make a great encore. Thanks.

[Skeptopotamus]

What is the Spanish name?

And Ginastera is the only important (to my knowledge) composer from Argentina.

[bernhard]

I don't really have a lead.

However, your question brought to mind Darius Milhaud "Le boeuf sur le toit".

Milhaud lived in Brazil for some ten years (he was the secretary of the French consulate there).

"Le boeuf" is a huge pastiche of several musical styles, much of which borrowed form obscure Brazilian composers of salon music.

You can read more about it here:

https://daniellathompson.com/Texts/Le_Boeuf/boeuf_chronicles.htm

Unfortunately the piece is for orchestra, although a two-piano version (published by Dover) exists. The whole thing is over 30 minutes long. Some encore!

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[odsum25]

No, it wasn't Ginastera or Le Boeuf Sur Le Toit, although I enjoy that work immensely.  I didn't catch the spanish name and I can't remember the composer's name either.  He was a total unknown, as the person on the radio confirmed.  Ginastera is a composer that really fascinates me though, as well as Milhaud.  I've used the Trois Rag-Caprices and played the solo saxophone in Le Creation du Monde. I wish that Milhaud would be discussed and played more than he is.  The Saludados di Brazil are also a fine piece.