In Zanzibar they play it at the end of weddings, in Romania at the end of funerals, in Mexico as a protest song, and in Germany as a sailor’s lament. Written a century and a half ago by Sebastián Iradier and first performed in Cuba, “La Paloma”—the most frequently played song in the world—has circled the globe like a dove to touch listeners’ hearts with longing. Drawing upon insightful expert commentary, moving personal anecdotes, and snippets from dozens of versions of “La Paloma,” this program follows the song’s trail in an effort to understand its power to enchant so very many people. A mix of music history and ethnomusicology. (Portions in other languages with English subtitles, 52 minutes)