Flamenco, the Heart and Soul of Andalucia

Flamenco, more commonly termed Sevilliana in Andalucia where it originated, is a Spanish art form par excellence.

It incorporates three levels of expression, cante, the song, baile, the dance and guitarra, guitar playing. The gypsies of Spain lay claim to its' creation and certainly they did, and still do, play an important part but it is easy to see other influences as well. For instance the popular songs and dances of Andaluica and of course seven centuries of Muslim occupation which could not pass without leaving lasting traces in many walks of life, not least the development of Flamenco. More recently of course one can see the influence of jazz, salsa and bosa nova.

It is generally agreed that its' origins can be traced back to the period between 1765 and 1860 when the first Flamenco Schools were created in Cadiz Triana, (Sevilla) and Jerez de la Frontera. The first mention of it in literature is in the " Cartas Marruecas of Cadalso in 1774. Early Flamenco dance seems to have been purely vocal accompanied only by the rhythmical clapping of hands known as "toque de palmas." The introduction of Flamenco guitar music followed at a later stage and to a great extent can be attributed to the influence of composers such as Julian Arcas.

The golden age of Flamenco is generally held to be between 1869 and 1910 when it was performed and perfected to its' definitive art form in the many cafes cantantes, or music cafes, to be found throughout Andalucia. The more serious form which expresses deeper feelings, known as cante jondo, dates from that period as well. The involvement of flamenco guitar also continued to steadily increase during this period.

From 1910-1955 Flamenco singing under went something of a change and developed into what became known as "opera flamenca" with an easier kind of music such as fandangos and cantes de ida y vuelta. However these changes were not welcomed by the intellectuals and in 1922 a contest to promote authentic cante jondo was organized in Granada.

1955 saw a Flamenco Renaissance with the great performer, Antonio Mairena, as its central figure. During this period some outstanding soloists made their way out of the cafes cantantes to the great theatres and concert halls and the Flamenco guitar player really came into his own and moved from being merely an accompanist to the dancer to being a great artist in his own right. Paco de Lucia is one such virtuoso from that period.

Mass media and tourism has brought Flamenco to the world stage but it still remains a deeply intimate type of music and movement and is still best appreciated with a small group of friends around midnight somewhere in Andalucia when there is nothing but the voice, the guitar and the movement of the dancer in the moonlight.