Argentine composer, pianist and music director, Ariel Ramirez was considered a 'chief exponent of Argentine folk music' and noted for his "iconic" musical compositions. He is primarily known for his compositional work "Misa Criolla". Spanish tenor Jose Carreras's 1987 Philips recording of the Argentine folk mass, Misa Criolla, conducted by its composer, Ariel Ramírez, brought the work to a worldwide audience.