Flamenco Flamenco
is a folk art, around 200 years old. It is from Southern Spain and is individualistic,
yet structured. Song, dance and guitar are blended into passionate rhythms which
are often improvised and spontaneous. Flamenco will have any imaginable theme,
from up to date stories, to politics, to love, to history, to humor, etc. Often
however, the tragic lyrics and tone of flamenco reflect the sufferings of the
gypsy people from whom it originated Flamenco
exists in three forms: Cante, the song, Baile, the dance, and Guitarra, guitar
playing. The source of Flamenco, however, lies in the tradition of singing. The
singers' role is very important with the guitar playing an accompaniment to the
song. Today the solo guitar flamenco has developed into a separate art and is
fashionably blended with jazz, blues and pop music. Flamenco
dance has complex patterns of rhythm and sophisticated footwork with the upper
body emphasising grace and posture. The
songs of flamenco are from different regions as: Fandangos from Huelva; and Alegrias
from Cadiz. There are two main styles in Flamenco: "jondo" - the serious
and deep meaning, the cry of oppressed people; and "chico" happy, light
and often humorous. The ideal in flamenco is called "duende" (demon
or elf), which is a state of emotional involvement, group communication at a deep
level and a feeling of sympathy, between musicians, dancers and listeners. |