Originally, it was a one-act ballet commissioned in 1941 by American impresario Lincoln Kirstein for the American Ballet Caravan. As the ballet company disbanded, Ginastera extracted four pieces from the original work and arranged them for orchestra. This suite version premiered at the Teatro Colón in 1943. The theme of this work is the romance between a young man from the city and a daughter of an estancia (large ranch). The young man falls in love with the daughter, but she does not reciprocate his feelings, as he appears inferior compared to the brave gauchos. However, in the final scene, the young man wins a malambo contest against the gauchos and captures the daughter's heart, which is the main plot. In the original ballet, parts of José Hernández's gaucho epic poem Martín Fierro (1872) were recited and sung, adding a sense of realism to the depiction of the rural landscape.

Los trabajadores agricolas (The Farm Workers)

The polytonality evident from the beginning and the ruggedness of the hemiola rhythm evoke the gauchos working on the estancia and the malambo they dance. Furthermore, the accent placed on the bass part of the fifth beat in 6/8 time shows a similarity to conventional malambo performance practice, adding further character to this work. It depicts gauchos appearing one after another, preparing for work on the farm.

Danza del trigo (Wheat Dance)

In the original ballet, this piece was placed before "Los trabajadores agricolas," depicting a quiet morning scene before work began. The elegant rhythm of the regional dance music zamba and a part of the melody in the first half (C-A-C) show similarities to "Danza de la moza donosa" from Danzas Argentinas. The expansive melody is impressive, as if a beautiful maiden is dancing dreamily against the backdrop of wheat fields spreading across the refreshing morning pampas.

Los peones de hacienda (The Ranch Hands)

Work on an estancia also includes herding livestock such as cattle and horses. As indicated by "Gallop" in the score, it is characterized by the imitation of horse hooves in the left hand and successive changes in time signatures, such as 9/8, 7/8, 5/8, and 3/4. Perhaps a gaucho on horseback is bravely chasing snorting livestock.

Danza final (Malambo) (Final Dance)

In the final movement, as the title suggests, various elements of malambo are used, such as the repetition of IV-V-I chord progressions and the hemiola rhythm. Passages where the same musical figure is persistently repeated are as if the young man from the city is bravely challenging the gauchos who are taking turns performing zapateo. Finally, a fanfare rings out loudly, announcing the joy and victory of the young man from the city who has won the daughter's heart, bringing the piece to a brilliant conclusion.