Flamenco - passionate Spanish dance to the sounds of guitar
Flamenco - Spanish national dance. But this is too simple and exaggerated definition, because flamenco is passion, fire, vivid emotions and drama. It is enough to see the spectacular and expressive movements of the dancers once to forget about the counting of time. And music ... This is a separate story ... We will not torment you - it's time to plunge into the history and specifics of this dance.
The history of flamenco: the pain of expelled peoples
The official birth date of flamenco is 1785. It was then that Juan Ignacio González del Castillo, a Spanish playwright, first used the word "flamenco". But these are formalities. In fact, the history of this trend has more than 10 centuries, during which the culture of Spain changed and developed not without the participation of other nationalities. We offer to feel the atmosphere of the past years in order to better experience the energy and character of the dance.
Our story begins back in the year 711 in ancient Andalusia, located in the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula. Now it is an autonomous Spanish community, and then the power on this land belonged to the Visigoths, an ancient Germanic tribe. Tired of the tyranny of the ruling elite, the population of Andalusia appealed for help to the Muslims. So the peninsula was conquered by the Moors or the Arabs who came from North Africa.
For more than 700 years, the territory of ancient Spain was in the hands of the Moors. They managed to turn it into the most beautiful European country. People from all over the continent flocked here to admire the magnificent architecture, to join the science and understand the refinement of Oriental poetry.
The development of music does not stand aside. Persian motifs begin to capture the minds of the inhabitants of Andalusia, forcing them to change their musical and dance traditions. Abu al-Hassan Ali, a Baghdad musician and poet, played a huge role in this. Art critics see in his work the first traces of flamenco and give him the right to be considered the father of Andalusian music.
In the 15th century, Christian states located in the northern part of the peninsula began to supplant the Arabs. Where the Spanish Moors have disappeared is a mystery, which historians have not yet been able to figure out. Despite this, Eastern culture became part of the worldview of the people who inhabited Andalusia. But for the emergence of flamenco, there is not enough suffering for yet another ethnic group persecuted around the world - the Gypsies.
Tired of constant wandering, Roma came to the peninsula in 1425. These lands seemed like paradise to them, but local authorities disliked foreigners and pursued them. Everything connected with the Gypsies was considered criminal, including dancing and music.
The bloody persecution did not prevent the gypsy folklore from uniting with the oriental traditions, which had already taken root among the local population of Andalusia. It is from this moment that flamenco begins to emerge - at the junction of several cultures.
Where does the story go next? In the Spanish taverns and pubs. It is here that the local population begins to perform a sensual dance, attracting more and more curious eyes to it. While flamenco exists only for a narrow circle of people. But around the middle of the XIX century style goes out. Street performances or fiestas can no longer do without the passionate and emotional dance movements of flamenco.
And then the dance is waiting for the professional scene. Flamencologists note that the peak of the genre falls on the second half of the XIX century, when the Spanish population was crazy about the work of the singer Silverio Franconetti. But the age of dance was fleeting. By the end of the century, flamenco had become a regular entertainment in the eyes of young people. The history of dance, filled with suffering and pain of various nationalities, remained on the outskirts.
To equate flamenco to low-class art, to allow the genre to leave the cozy streets of Spain forever did not allow the musician Federico Garcia Lorca and the poet Manuel de Falla. With their easy presentation in 1922, the first festival of Andalusian folk singing took place, where melodies loved by many Spaniards sounded.
A year earlier, flamenco became part of the Russian ballet thanks to Sergey Dyagilev. He organized a show for the Parisian public, which helped the style to go beyond Spain.
What is flamenco now? An infinite number of varieties in which you can see the features of jazz, rumba, cha-cha-cha and other dance styles. The desire to combine different cultures has not disappeared anywhere, just as the basis of flamenco - sensuality and passion.
What is flamenco?
Flamenco is an art in which the equivalent value belongs to three components: dance (bale), song (cante) and guitar accompaniment (current). These parts are inseparable if we are talking about a dramatic variety of style.
Why did the guitar become the main musical instrument? Because it was played well by Roma, whose traditions became an integral part of Spanish culture. The flamenco guitar is very similar to the classical one, although it weighs less and looks more compact. Due to this, the sound is more sharp and rhythmic, which is required for the present performance of flamenco.
What is primary in this style, bale or cante, dance or song? Those who are barely familiar with flamenco will say that Bailé. In fact, the main role is played by a song that obeys clear musical rules. Dance acts as a frame. It complements the sensory component of the melody, helps to retell the story with the help of body language.
Is it difficult to learn to dance flamenco? Looking through the video, where the girls effectively waving their hands, rhythmically knocking heels, it seems that everything is simple. But, in order to master the basic movements of the genre, a person without proper physical training will have to exert efforts. Very tired hands, and there are difficulties in maintaining balance.
What's interesting: flamenco dance is pure improvisation. The singer simply tries to keep the rhythm of the music, performing a variety of choreographic elements. To learn how to dance flamenco, you need to feel the culture of Spain.
Let us list the characteristic movements that will not allow you to confuse flamenco with a single dance direction:
expressive plastic of hands, especially hands;
shot heels;
sharp attacks and turns;
slamming and clicking with your fingers, which makes the music more rhythmic and energetic.
Interesting Facts
- There is a whole science of studying flamenco. It is called flamencology. Her appearance we owe to Gonzalez Clement, who in 1955 published the book of the same name. Two years later, in the Spanish city of Jerez de la Frontera, a department of flamencology was opened.
The six-string guitar is a national Spanish instrument, without which flamenco is unthinkable.
The traditional female costume of a flamenco performer is a long dress to the floor or bata de cola. Its essential elements are a fitted bodice, many frills and frills along the edge of the skirt and sleeves. Due to the characteristics of the cut and get spectacular movements during the dance. Nothing like? Clothing was borrowed from gypsies and became a symbol of femininity and attractiveness.
Flamenco is unwittingly associated with red. But professional dancers see this as a national stereotype. Where did the myth of the dance painted in red come from? From the name of the style. Translated from the Latin "flamma" means flame, fire. These concepts are invariably associated with shades of red. Also, parallels are made with flamingos, whose name is so consonant with passionate dance.
Another stereotype associated with castanets. This is a percussion instrument in the form of two concave plates, which are worn on the hands. Yes, their sound is clearly audible during the dance. Yes, they are used by dancers. But in the traditional flamenco hands of girls should be free. Where did the tradition to dance with castanets come from? Thanks to the public, who enthusiastically accepted the use of this musical instrument.
The character of the style largely determines the shoes of dancers. The sock and the heel of the shoe are specially hammered with small studs to get a characteristic sound during the execution of the fraction. No wonder flamenco is considered the prototype of the tap.
The Spanish city of Seville is considered one of the most significant in the development of flamenco. Here is a museum dedicated to this dance. It was opened by Christina Oyos, a famous dancer. This city is also famous for its literary characters: Don Quixote and Carmen.
With the names of any dancers associated flamenco? This is, of course, Antonia Mercey-i-Luke, Carmen Amaya, Mercedes Ruiz and Magdalena Seda.
Popular melodies in rhythms of flamenco
"Como El Agua" by Camaron de la Isla. This Spanish singer with gypsy roots is considered the most famous flamenco performer, so it’s impossible to bypass his work. The song presented was recorded in the early 80s of the last century and won the love of the public with love lyrics and emotionally intense voice of Camaron.
"Como El Agua" (listen)
"Macarena" or well-known to many "Macarena" - another bright "representative" of the flamenco genre, although initially the song was presented as a rumba. The composition belongs to the work of the Spanish duo Los del Río, who presented it to the public in 1993. Following the dance music a dance of the same name appeared. By the way, the name of the song is the name of the daughter of Antonio Romero, one of the participants of the duet.
"Macarena" (listen)
"Entre dos aguas" - This is a story told with a guitar. No words, one music. Its creator is Paco de Lucia, a famous guitar virtuoso in whose hands the traditional Spanish instrument began to sound particularly melodious and beautiful. The composition was recorded in the 70s and does not lose relevance among fans of the genre so far. Some admit that they got into flamenco thanks to the work of Paco.
"Entre dos aguas" (listen)
"Cuando te beso" - this is a bright and incendiary song performed by the no less bright Spanish Nina Pastori. The woman began to sing at the age of 4, and from that moment on she did not part with the music and flamenco, not being afraid to combine the genre with modern rhythms.
"Cuando te beso" (listen)
"Pokito a Poko" - one of the famous compositions of the Spanish group Chambao. What is remarkable about their work? Its members connected flamenco with electronic music, which ensured the popularity of the trio. The presented song is fascinating with beautiful vocals, light and exciting melody and passionate dances, which are presented in the video.
"Pokito a Poko" (listen)
Flamenco and Cinema
Want to learn more about flamenco art? We propose to allocate several evenings to watch movies in which the main role belongs to this dance.
Flamenco (2010) tells the story of style through the eyes of famous dancers. Movie filmed in the documentary genre.
Lola (2007) tells about the life of Lola Flores, who was remembered by the public for her passion for performing flamenco.
"Snow White" (2012) is a black and white silent film, where all the drama is expressed through dance.
Flamenco is more than dance and music. This is a story filled with love, vivid emotions and a desire to feel free from conventions and rigid frameworks.
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