Flamenco

Flamenco is an authentic Spanish art, and in particular, a genuine Southern Spanish art. There are three forms of Flamenco: Cante, the song, Baile, the dance, and Guitarra, guitar playing.

Gypsies played a very important part in the creation of Flamenco and are often called ‘The Fathers’. The popular songs and dances of Andalusia have also influenced early Flamenco significantly.

Most definitely there were other influences, too, as it will not surprise in a country that has been dominated by most diverse cultures and civilizations during its different historical epochs. There were the legendary Tartessos, and seven centuries of Muslim occupation hardly could have passed without leaving traces. All of this has, directly or indirectly influence Flamenco.

The first time Flamenco is reported on in any literature is in the "Cartas Marruecas" of Cadalso, in 1774. Its cradle most probably was where, between 1765 and 1860,this is when the first Flamenco-schools were created: Cádiz, Jerez de la Frontera and Triana (Seville).

In this period Flamenco dance started to have its firm place in the ballrooms. Early Flamenco seems to have been only vocal and accompanied only by rhythmical clapping of hands. It was left to dedicated composers, such as Julián Arcas, to introduce guitar playing.

During its Golden Age (1869-1910) Flamenco was developed in the epoch's numerous music cafés to its classic form. Also the more serious forms expressing deep feelings dates from then.

Flamenco dance arrived to its peak, being the major attraction for the public of those cafés. Guitar players featuring the dancers increasingly gained a reputation.

The time from 1910 to 1955 Flamenco singing is marked by the ópera flamenca, with an easier kind of music such as fandangos. The latter clearly showed South American influences.

From 1915 onwards Flamenco shows were organized and performed all over the world.

1955 started a sort of Flamenco Renaissance, and on of the great performers Antonio Mairena being its key figure. With outstanding dancers and soloists they soon made their way out of the small tablaos, successors to the early cafés cantantes, to the great theaters and concert houses. It was now that guitar players acquired a great protagonism, and their playing arrived to masterity.

Actual Flamenco frequently shows us the influences of different styles of music, for example Jazz, Salsa, Bossa Nova, etc.

Also Flamenco dance has changed, especially with female dancers who try to rather showcase their temperament than artistry. The Flamenco guitar that formerly was just featuring the dancers arrived to be a soloistical art form, great virtuoso Paco de Lucia being the pioneer of that development.

Mass medias have brought Flamenco to the world stage, but deeply it has always been and will always remain an intimate style of music. You have not listened to authentical Flamenco if not in a juerga with a small group of friends, at midnight somewhere in the South of Spain, when there is nothing around but the voice, the guitar and the body of a dancer moving in the moonlight.

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