Understanding & Appreciating Flamenco

Every Spaniard is familiar with Flamenco; it is very much part of the Spanish culture as it is an art. This is a unique tradition only known in Spain which comes with pain and suffering if one is to perform it to perfection.

A Spanish tradition

Flamenco is commonly known by the locals as Sevilliana, according to its place of origin. It stands as an excellent and exquisite Spanish art form that is expressed in the cante (song), baile (dance) and guitarra (guitar playing).

Flamenco Origins

Although the Spanish gypsies claimed to be flamenco’s originators, they are very active in contributing to this tradition’s survival. As with many instances where Andalucian songs and dances were influenced by those who passed through in the centuries before, the Flamenco was no exception. Nowadays, visitors will notice more of the presence of jazz, bossa nova and salsa in this region. The origins of Flamenco were believed to have surfaced from 1765 to 1860 with the establishment of Flamenco Schools in Cadiz Triana and Jerez, but it became very popular and was at its height of fame from 1869 to 1910.

Forms of Flamenco

The very first form of Flamenco was merely vocals with rhythmical hand clapping, which was called ‘toque de palmas.’ Then, Julian Arcas and other reputable composers introduced music to the Flamenco, especially with the guitar.  When the Flamenco was at its golden age, it was already perfected enough in its form to be listed as a definitive art form and being performed in various cafes cantantes, otherwise known as music cafes throughout Andalucia.
A more serious Flamenco form takes on the expression of deeper feelings, called cante jondo. More and more guitar music accompaniment was heard with the Flamenco, using a special Flamenco guitar.

It was between 1910 and 1955 that singing or vocals were incorporated into the Flamenco. Soon, it became the ‘opera flamenca’ with fandangos and cantes music as accompaniment to its vocals. However, these modifications were considered drastic and nontraditional to reflect the true culture of Spain, especially by intellectuals. In the year 1922, Granada held a contest in the hope of promoting authentic cante jondo.

Flamenco Fame

Famous Flamenco performers arose from 1955, especially with Antonio Mairena, a great Flamenco Renaissance performer. Other outstanding individual performers moved out from the cafes cantantes to perform at the great theatres or concert halls. This was about the time when the Flamenco guitarists made a great impact and stood out in any Flamenco performance, not as an accompaniment only but as an individual artist on his own merit. The world renowned Paco de Lucia enjoyed that new-found fame and status during that period.

Flamenco must thank the mass media as well as tourism for bringing it to world fame, although it is still very much an intimate flow of music to movement. It is best appreciated in a small group late at night in Andalucia, where the stillness of the night allows the vocals to be heard with the guitar pieces as the Flamenco dancer makes her movement on the pavement.