Spanish flamenco dance in Spain. Flamenco - what is it? How to learn to dance this dance? flamenco spain

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Flamenco is a traditional music and dance style originating from Andalusia (Spain); it is a fusion of musical accompaniment (toque), singing (kante) and dance (baile).

The style is represented by several dozen varieties (more than 50).

Flamenco dances and songs, as a rule, are accompanied by a guitar and percussion: rhythmic clapping of hands (palmas), playing on a percussion box (cajon); sometimes with castanets.

Flamenco performers are called "baylaor" (dancer) and "cantaor" (singer), "tokaor" (guitarist).

Origin

The origins of flamenco can be found in Mauritanian musical culture. Gypsy music also significantly influenced this style - many consider the Spanish gypsies to be the main, true bearers of the style.

In the XV century. gypsies arrived in Spain from the crumbling Byzantium, settled along the southern coast of the country in the province; according to their custom, they began to adopt and rethink local musical traditions, such as Moorish, Jewish and Spanish proper; and from this alloy musical traditions, rethought first by the gypsies, and then by the Spaniards, flamenco was born.

For a long time, flamenco was considered a "closed art", as the gypsies lived as an isolated group; flamenco was formed in narrow circles. But at the end of the XVIII century. the persecution of the gypsies stopped, and flamenco entered the stage of taverns and cantante cafes, gained freedom.

At the end of the XX century. flamenco begins to absorb Cuban melodies and jazz motifs; and, in addition, elements of classical ballet acquired their permanent place there.

The most famous flamenco dancer Joaquin Cortes, who updated the concept of flamenco dance, got rid of it from the "canonical standard" and introduced a new lively stream and expressiveness into it.

The improvisational nature of flamenco, the complex rhythm and specific technique of performance often impede the accurate notation of flamenco melodies. Therefore, the art of both the guitarist and the dancer and the singer is usually passed on from master to apprentice.

Attributes of flamenco dance

An important element of the image of the dancer (bailaora) is the traditional dress, called bata de cola - a typical flamenco dress, usually floor-length, often made of multi-colored polka-dot material, decorated with frills and flounces.

The prototype of this dress was the traditional attire of gypsies. An integral part of the dance is the graceful play with the hem of the dress.

Bailaor traditional clothing - dark trousers, a wide belt and White shirt with wide sleeves. Sometimes the edges of the shirt are tied in front at the waist. A short bolero vest called a chaleco is sometimes worn over a shirt.

A Spanish shawl with very long tassels is one of the classic attributes of female flamenco dance: the shawl either twists around the dancer's waist, emphasizing the slender female silhouette, or falls from the shoulders, forming the silhouette of a large, beautiful, restless bird.

Another classic flamenco female attribute is a large fan. There is an opinion about castanets as an indispensable attribute of flamenco dance.

But most often, the rhythm is beaten off by heels (zapateado), snapping fingers (pitos) or clapping palms (palmas). The purest forms of flamenco avoid the use of castanets, as they limit the possibility of passionate and expressive handplay.

Today, modern choreographers are especially interested in flamenco, because they see in this art great opportunities for creativity, for introducing innovations into choreography.

Style classification

Flamenco styles (palos) differ in rhythmic pattern. The most popular palos - tones, solea, fandango and seguiriya (Toña, Soleá, Fandango y Seguiriya) - belong to the category of cante jondo (cante jondo, the most ancient core of flamenco, dating back to the oldest music systems India). The second category is cante flamenco (cante flamenco, includes singing, dancing, and playing the guitar).

Flamenco has had a great influence on many dance and musical styles all over the world. Recent decades mixed varieties of flamenco and other styles appeared: flamenco pop, flamenco jazz, flamenco rock, gypsy rumba and others.

There are adherents of flamenco who honor its traditions, which has both positive and negative sides.

Strict adherence to tradition makes it impossible to deeply understand flamenco.

Flamenco styles (singing, dancing, melody) are like a living organism, which requires their constant development, and without development there is no life.

But along with the developing flamenco, there is also “flamencology” (a book under this title was written by Gonzalez Clement in 1955 and gave its name to this section of art history), scientists of this direction are studying the origin of flamenco and its “true” style, traditions, etc. .

Until now, along with the supporters of the purity of the flamenco style, there are adherents of its new forms and sounds.

Flamenco dancer Joaquín Cortes is the Roma Ambassador to the European Union.

"Duende" - the soul of flamenco, also translated from Spanish as "fire", "magic" or "feeling". “Only one duende is not capable - to repeat. Duende does not repeat itself, like the appearance of a stormy sea.

Until the second half of the 19th century. Gypsies performed flamenco barefoot.

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Helpful information

Flamenco
Spanish flamenco

Flamenco festivals

Among the most significant cities where flamenco exists today are Cadiz, Jerez, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Barcelona and Madrid. Each of these cities has its own musical specificity, its own traditions and peculiarities.

In Spain

One of the most respected, the largest flamenco festival in Spain takes place every two years in Seville under the name "Bienal de Flamenco". This festival was founded in 1980. True lovers of flamenco come here from all over the world to see the best artists: bailaors, cantaors and guitarists.

In Cordoba, an annual International Festival guitars "GUITARRA", with the performance on which the glory of talented young guitarists Vicente Amigo and Paco Serrano began.

Annual cante grande festivals, cante flamenco festivals and others take place all over Spain. You can learn more about festivals in Spain and not only from the special news site www.flamencofestival.info.

In Russia

1- Russian Flamenco Festival "Flamenco en Moscu" - held for the first time in 2011. The festival will bring together only the world's outstanding flamenco stars.

Flamenco Festival "¡VIVA ESPAÑA!" in Moscow - an annual event in the world of Spanish musical culture (since 2001).

Petersburg is taking place annual festival called "Northern Flamenco".

In the modern world guitar music in Kaluga since 1997, the annual festival "Guitar World" has been operating, the participants of which are various flamenco groups from Russia and Spain, and many bright names of foreign guitarists, from world famous ones, such as Al di Meola (2004), Ivan Smirnov (" mascot of the festival), Vicente Amigo (2006), Paco de Lucia (2007) and others.

In other countries

Every year, since 2004, the Flamenco Festival in London has been held in February. One of the largest flamenco festivals outside of Spain has been taking place in the American city of Albuquerque, New Mexico for over 20 years.

Notable flamenco artists

• Niña de los Peines, Lola Flores, Fosforito, Niña de La Puebla
• Carmen Amaya
• Ramon Montoya Sr., Paco de Lucia, Vicente Amigo, Manolo Sanlúcar, R. Riqueni, Paco Serrano, Rafael Cortes (Rafael Cortes) (guitar)
• Antonio Gades and Mario Maya (dance)
• Camaron de la Isla and Enrique Morente (singing)
• Blanca Del Rey
• Antonio Canales
• Antonio el Pipa, Javier Martos (dance)
• Jose Reyes (guitar, singing)
• Gipsy Kings (guitar, singing)
• Santa Esmeralda (disco, plus guitar)
• Rocio Marquez
• Lena Hernandez
• Eva La Yerbabuena

At the beginning of the XV century, the art of flamenco was born on the territory of Andalusia. It was this southern territory of Spain that became the place of coexistence of the then outcasts - gypsies, Jews and Moors. These peoples formed their own unique world, in which their cultures mixed up, as a result of which the “magic crystal of Andalusia” appeared - this is what the original flamenco genre is called.

Music and dances for gypsies are air and water, so necessary for life. Plasticity, flexibility, expressiveness of movements and temperament, which are passed down from generation to generation, have become the basis of today's flamenco.

Why this art is called "flamenco" historians are still arguing. There are many versions of the origin of the name, for example, it is believed that the word “flamencos” denoted the gypsies who came to the lands of Spain through Germany, and over time, this word began to be called gypsy performers or “flamenco singers”, considered the standard of musicality.

According to another version, the word "flamenco" comes from the Latin word "flamma" ("fire", "flame"), because. Andalusian dances and songs in those days were distinguished by a fiery character.

According to another hypothesis, the name "flamenco" (as the flamingo bird is called in Spanish) is associated with this particular bird, because. many of the choreographic positions mimic those of the majestic flamingo.

But, despite the many conflicting versions, the indisputable fact is that this art was born as a result of the merger of the musical cultures of several peoples, each of which lost its homeland and lost faith, but did not lose the passion and ardor of the soul, as well as dance, song and music. as a vital part of being.

Development of flamenco culture

It is impossible to name the exact date of the formation of flamenco as an art form. According to historical information, we can reliably say that until the beginning of the 18th century, the dance was accompanied only by clapping. The 19th century became the Golden Age of flamenco, when performers were invited to the houses of the nobility and popular taverns. A dance or a song began to be accompanied by a virtuoso guitarist.

Initially, flamenco did not go beyond the boundaries of Spanish houses, or rather, beyond the patio - courtyards, which were traditional places for communication between neighbors and family members. But gradually, this art began to turn from a closed to an open culture.

In places of temporary gypsy settlements (they were usually located outside the city), flamenco fiestas, open to everyone, began to be arranged. Gradually, almost no tavern could do without flamenco. This art turned into a craft for performers to earn a living.

The first café cantante (artistic cafes) with flamenco acts appeared in Seville in 1842. Since then, this art has become available to the general public. Competition between performers began to grow, which contributed to the development of a variety of performing forms, styles and genres of flamenco.

However, in the middle of the 19th century, artistic cafes began to lose profitability, only those establishments "survived" in which customers were allowed to choose their own repertoire. Thus, flamenco ceased to be a soulful art, but became simple business based on the tastes and preferences of those who pay.

Flamenco gained great popularity among wealthy youth, who, however, admired only the aesthetic side of this art, but not the drama and pain that drive it. Flamenco has become part of the entertainment industry, a product of mass consumption.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, flamenco came to theater scenes in the form of professional productions called ópera flamenco. The classical attributes of flamenco are dancing and singing accompanied by a guitar, but gradually the guitar has lost its traditional meaning, because. it began to be replaced by orchestral accompaniment. Going out to a wider audience, flamenco was forced to adapt to any audience, trying to please it.

However, many places have been preserved in Spain where the performers have preserved the purity of style and where the true “cante jondo” continues to sound.

Flamenco - the cry of the soul

Today you can often find the combination of the concept of "cante jondo" and "cante flamenco". But flamenco researchers have not come to a consensus about the similarity or difference between these concepts. The term "Hondo" (Andalusians pronounce "Jondo") is used to denote the depth (expressiveness, emotionality) of a flamenco performance.

Most often, hondo singing is understood as the manner of singing flamenco. various performers. Cante Flamenco is what is sung, and Cante Jondo is how it is sung and performed. It is the “cante hondo” that is considered the primary source of spirit, tragedy and a comprehensive feeling. Whereas “cante flamenco” is already a modernized art, which is inferior to hondo in terms of depth of feelings.

The main attributes of flamenco

Flamenco dance conveys the entire emotional spectrum of the performer. In dance, it is not so much the skill of the dancer that is important, but the story that the performer tells with the help of the movements of his body.

most feature flamenco is zapateado - rhythmic beating of time with heels and soles of boots on the floor. Initially, zapateado was performed only by men, and female performance involved smooth hand movements. Today, the differences between male and female flamenco are not so pronounced, although the beauty of hand movements has remained the female prerogative.

In addition to zapateado, flamenco clapping (palmas) and finger snapping (pitos) are essential elements of flamenco. Castanets came to flamenco culture later, and are now used on a par with traditional techniques.

The flamenco dancer's costume consists of dark trousers, a wide belt, a white shirt and a short bolero vest. The prototype of the dancer's dress, called bata de cola, is a traditional gypsy dress, usually long, decorated with numerous flounces and frills. If a woman performs a male flamenco, she puts on a male costume.

At its core, flamenco is a one-man dance. The dancer is not constrained by the choreographic scenario, the synchronism of movements and other "artificial" conventions. He always improvises, and duende is expressed in this - playing with fire, inconstancy, passion, danger, which are the basis of the art of flamenco.

History of flamenco

The birthplace of flamenco is Andalusia. The cultures of all the peoples that inhabited this region found an echo in flamenco music. Arabic, Jewish, Gypsy, Christian... Even African rhythms can be heard in the music of the south of the Iberian Peninsula.

The Andalusian song is both homesickness and lyrical protest. The singer's protest is directed against the oppression and injustice of the world. In 1492, the Arabs were expelled from Spain. The Jews, who in the 5th century made up a large part of the population of the country (about 100 thousand), were persecuted, as a result of which they were forced to accept the Christian faith. Eternally persecuted gypsies, traveling around the country with simple belongings, spread their song and dance traditions. All these peoples, once having lost their roots, went through forced assimilation, entered into a foreign culture, adopted a foreign faith. In their songs, one can hear crying about fate, a story about a sad life.

Flamenco is not just music. This is a style of attitude to life, a worldview. To live in this world, it is not necessary to perform flamenco. Flamenco music is bright emotions and strong experiences.

The beginning of the existence of flamenco is considered to be 1780, it is this year that the first documentary mention of flamenco in Andalusia is dated. By this time, the style and melodic structure of flamenco had already been fully formed.

The traditional Spanish dwelling is arranged in such a way that all the apartments are located around the patio, an internal common courtyard. With such a layout, neighbors closely communicate with each other, often being members of the same family clan. The common gathering place was the patio. Here were held festive events, on which the secrets of singing were also transmitted. We can say that the abode of flamenco is a house. It is communication in a narrow family circle that explains the fact that many meaningful names In flamenco, they belong to family dynasties in which musical skills were passed down from generation to generation. Music was a means of communication, dialogue and was largely improvisational in nature. The dialogue was between two cantaors, a cantaor and a guitarist, song and dance.

The life that took place in the courtyards of the patio was often taken out into the street - during wedding celebrations, baptisms and other significant events. In many gypsy settlements, such “flamenco fiestas” began to acquire individual features. The events were held in temporary gypsy settlements outside the city limits. In addition to family members, outsiders were sometimes allowed to attend. Kantaors, demonstrating individual skill, gained fame.

Flamenco music really became known to the general public with the opening of cafe cantante, artistic cafes, on the stages of which musicians performed. The first of them opened in 1842 in Seville, and already in the 70s of the XIX century, many similar cafes opened in cities such as Puerto de Santa Maria, Seville, Malaga, Jerez de la Frontera, Granada, Cartagena, La Union, Cadiz. Later, cantante cafes began to appear outside of Andalusia, in Madrid, Barcelona, ​​​​Bilbao.

Cafe cantante contributed to the rise in popularity of flamenco. The music resonated with many hearts, the audience appreciated the genuine passion of flamenco. Performed from the stage, flamenco music made available a large number listeners.

Speaking about the "golden age of flamenco", the name of the famous cantaor Silverio Franconetti (1829-1889) is certainly mentioned. Franconetti was the central figure of the era of flamenco's heyday. Silverio was the number one maestro among the outstanding performers of that time - To Martn, Vergara, El Loco Mateo, Paco de la Luz, Enrique el Gordo Viejo, Manuel Molina, El Nitri, La Josefa, Curro Dulce and others. Among the guitarists, the most notable were Maestro Patio, Paco el Barbero and Paco Lucena, while Antonio de Bilbao and Juan la Macarrona were deservedly considered masters of the dance.

With the beginning of the twentieth century, flamenco received new form expressions - theater. Performances of opera flamenca were staged, in which there were dances, singing, and a guitar. Empresario staged such performances all over Spain, on the stages of major theaters, in bullrings.

Flamenco evolved from opera new genre, flamenco ballet. A significant contribution to its development was made by the dancers La Argentina, Pilar Lopez, Antonio, Rosario, whose traditions are now continued by Antonio Gades, Mario Maya, Cristina Hoyos, Joaquin Corts and other dance masters.

The beginning of the flamenco renaissance can be called 1922, when the composer Manuel de Falla and Federico Garcia Lorca organized the Concurso de Cante Jondo, the Cante Jondo festival, in Granada. His goal was to revive interest in ancient art, to discover new talents. Authentic tunes of cante jondo were collected at the festival. In order for the public to see a truly folk flamenco, to feel the true spirit of this music, professional performers were not allowed to participate in the festival.

The festival showed the whole of Spain the difference between tavern singing and genuine cante jondo. In Spain, there is nothing equal to these songs for the authenticity of feelings. The organizers tried to draw attention true patriots to the fate of the cante jondo.

Granada, with its romantic halo, was not in vain chosen as the venue for the festival. Similar festivals began to be held in other cities, and flamenco was recognized as true folk art. The venue for the following competitions was Seville, Cordoba, Malaga, Jaen, Almeria, Madrid, Mulcia.

In the 1950s, the ideas of the previous era were criticized and the café cantante was revived in tablaos, small theaters or cafes with a stage.

The inspiring “Olé” resounds from all corners as the audience sings and clap their hands along with the artists creating a unique song rhythm for beautiful woman, which is dancing on a low stage. This is how a typical evening in flamenco "peña" (peña) goes. This is an opportunity to see with your own eyes how people, forgetting about everything in the world, surrender to the power of music, rhythm and passion. What is flamenco? How did it come to Spain? And what dress is considered classic in flamenco culture? We will answer these and many other questions in our material devoted to this fine art southern Spain.

When and how was the art of flamenco born?

Flamenco appeared with the arrival of the gypsies from the Roman Empire in Spain in 1465. For several decades they lived peacefully next to the Spaniards, Arabs, Jews, slaves of African origin, and over time, new music began to sound in the gypsy caravans, which absorbed elements of the cultures of the new neighbors. In 1495, after a long war, the Muslims, long-term rulers of most of the territories of the peninsula, were forced to leave Spain.

From that moment began the persecution of the "objectionable", namely non-Spaniards. All who adhered to a different religion and culture had to give up their original habits, their own names, costumes and language. It was then that the mysterious flamenco was born, an art form hidden from prying eyes. Only in the circle of family and friends "superfluous" people could dance to their favorite music. However, the artists did not forget about their new acquaintances, also excluded from society, and melodic notes of Jews, Muslims and peoples from the Caribbean coast were heard in the music of the nomadic people.

It is believed that the influence of Andalusia in flamenco is expressed in sophistication, dignity and freshness of sound. Gypsy motives - in passion and sincerity. And Caribbean migrants brought an unusual dance rhythm to the new art.

Flamenco styles and musical instruments

There are two main styles of flamenco, within which sub-styles stand out. The first is hondo, or flamenco grande. It includes such sub-styles, or palos in Spanish, as tona, solea, saeta and sigiriya. This is the oldest type of flamenco in which the listener can pick out sad, passionate notes.

The second style is cante, or flamenco chico. It includes alegria, farruka and boleria. These are very light, cheerful and cheerful motives in playing the Spanish guitar, in dancing and singing.

In addition to the Spanish guitar, flamenco music is created by castanets and palmas, that is, hand clapping.

Castanets are shaped like shells connected by a string. With the left hand, the dancer or singer beats out the main rhythm of the work, and with the right hand, he creates intricate rhythmic patterns. Now the art of playing the castanets can be learned at any flamenco school.

Another important instrument that accompanies music is palmas, clapping. They differ in voice, duration, rhythm. It is impossible to imagine any flamenco performance without clapping, as well as without the cries of “Olé”, which only add uniqueness to the dance and song.

classic dress

The traditional flamenco dress is called bata de cola in Spanish. , the style and shape of which resembles the usual dresses of gypsies: a long wide skirt, flounces and frills along the hem of the dress and on the sleeves. Usually outfits are sewn from white, black and red fabric, most often with polka dots. A shawl with long tassels is thrown over the top of the dancer's dress. Sometimes it is tied around the waist to emphasize the grace and harmony of the artist. Hair is combed back and decorated with either a bright hairpin or flowers. Over time, the classic flamenco dress became the official attire for the famous April Fair in Seville. In addition, every year the capital of Andalusia hosts an international fashion show of flamenco dresses.

Men's suit the dancer is dark trousers with a wide belt and a white shirt. Sometimes the ends of the shirt are tied in front at the waist, and a red scarf is tied around the neck.

So what is flamenco?

One of those few questions that has hundreds of answers. And all because flamenco is not a science, it is a feeling, inspiration, creativity. As the Andalusians themselves like to say: "El flamenco es un arte".

Creativity that fully describes love, passion, loneliness, pain, joy and happiness... When words are not enough to express these feelings, flamenco comes to the rescue.

- richest country cultural traditions, bright and lively history - everything that makes this country a pearl of European civilization. Speaking about the country of Don Quixote, one should not lose sight of flamenco - a phenomenon that has long become an indisputable symbol of Spain, its soul, a reflection of a colorful culture and sultry temperament. Flamenco is not a traditional dance for Catalonia. Andalusia is considered the birthplace of flamenco. However, back in the 18th century, this art form began its triumphal march through Barcelona and still continues to delight the audience on the stages of the city.

Coming to the capital of Catalonia, do not miss the opportunity to admire one of the brightest, most passionate and exciting performances in Spanish - a flamenco show in Barcelona. Incendiary dance, rhythmic sound of the guitar, girls in long beautiful dresses with frills and real Spanish machos - all this is more than just a dance, it is a virtuoso and unforgettable art that combines various musical and dance styles. The enchanting melody of the action will touch and warm the most hidden strings of your soul. We guarantee that you will not only not remain indifferent, but will also take with you a piece of Spain that will always be with you! You can watch flamenco in Barcelona in many places, and we offer you an overview of the best flamenco clubs in Barcelona.

Where to watch flamenco in Barcelona?