Flamenco - Origins of Flamenco Music in Spain and Gypsy Influences on the Music
THE PASSION IN FLAMENCO There is nothing quite like a performance of 'flamenco'.
Passion and sentiment is what is expressed in true flamenco performances.
The heart of flamenco is to be found in the southern part of Spain, in the Andalusian region although performances can be found in other big cities such as Madrid and Barcelona.
Due to the enormous popularity in Spain for flamenco, there is also now a proliferation of schools and academies throughout Spain offering courses teaching Flamenco dancing.
THE ORIGINS OF FLAMENCO The roots of flamenco are very difficult to trace.
This is an art which has been developed over centuries by the down-and-out of the Spanish social strata and precisely because of that, very little has been recorded unfortunately.
During the Middle Ages, there were several different communities in Spain existing side by side in adversity; namely Moors, Jews and Gypsies.
To understand more of this time in Spain, follow the link at the end of the article.
These marginalised groups of society will have joined together no doubt to share their sorrows, united in their marginalisation from the community at large.
What may have resulted is...
flamenco! ORIGIN OF THE WORD FLAMENCO What are the origins of the word 'flamenco'? There are many different theories as to the origin of 'flamenco'.
One of the most widely accepted versions is that the word is derived from the Arabic term "felah mengus" meaning "exiled peasant?" THE ARRIVAL OF GYPSIES IN SPAIN Of course geographically one can see how close Andalusia is to the north of Africa and the Arab country of Morocco.
The moors from Morocco had invaded Spain but had been sent back to Morocco by the Spanish King and Queen at the same time the gypsies arrived in Spain.
(This is documented as officially 22nd November 1462.
) Some however did not return to Morocco instead choosing to 'convert' to Christianity.
The Jewish community had also been outlawed and were in the same position.
"PALOS" or STYLES To the untrained ear, the flamenco guitar, song and dance must seem quite similar.
When I began studying flamenco, I was surprised to discover there are over fifty "styles" or 'palos' in flamenco.
The word "palo" means literally "a stick" but also figuratively can be translated as "a difficult or uncomfortable situation" or "a stroke of bad luck".
I have not been able to find any research explaining the origin orf the word "palo" in flamenco terms so leave it up to the reader to make any connections.
Please read on for more links to other articles on the history of flamenco.
by Marie Ryan.
Passion and sentiment is what is expressed in true flamenco performances.
The heart of flamenco is to be found in the southern part of Spain, in the Andalusian region although performances can be found in other big cities such as Madrid and Barcelona.
Due to the enormous popularity in Spain for flamenco, there is also now a proliferation of schools and academies throughout Spain offering courses teaching Flamenco dancing.
THE ORIGINS OF FLAMENCO The roots of flamenco are very difficult to trace.
This is an art which has been developed over centuries by the down-and-out of the Spanish social strata and precisely because of that, very little has been recorded unfortunately.
During the Middle Ages, there were several different communities in Spain existing side by side in adversity; namely Moors, Jews and Gypsies.
To understand more of this time in Spain, follow the link at the end of the article.
These marginalised groups of society will have joined together no doubt to share their sorrows, united in their marginalisation from the community at large.
What may have resulted is...
flamenco! ORIGIN OF THE WORD FLAMENCO What are the origins of the word 'flamenco'? There are many different theories as to the origin of 'flamenco'.
One of the most widely accepted versions is that the word is derived from the Arabic term "felah mengus" meaning "exiled peasant?" THE ARRIVAL OF GYPSIES IN SPAIN Of course geographically one can see how close Andalusia is to the north of Africa and the Arab country of Morocco.
The moors from Morocco had invaded Spain but had been sent back to Morocco by the Spanish King and Queen at the same time the gypsies arrived in Spain.
(This is documented as officially 22nd November 1462.
) Some however did not return to Morocco instead choosing to 'convert' to Christianity.
The Jewish community had also been outlawed and were in the same position.
"PALOS" or STYLES To the untrained ear, the flamenco guitar, song and dance must seem quite similar.
When I began studying flamenco, I was surprised to discover there are over fifty "styles" or 'palos' in flamenco.
The word "palo" means literally "a stick" but also figuratively can be translated as "a difficult or uncomfortable situation" or "a stroke of bad luck".
I have not been able to find any research explaining the origin orf the word "palo" in flamenco terms so leave it up to the reader to make any connections.
Please read on for more links to other articles on the history of flamenco.
by Marie Ryan.
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