Question for Flamenco Junkies!

[PedroO]

I found this text on Ebay. Someone is sellling a flamenco course or videos. The question for the flamenco junkies of the forum is: Is this true?


"Although flamenco music is now recognised as a marvellous and unique art form, this was not always so, as is demonstrated by the origin of the name itself. Flamenco, in fact, means... Flemish!

The story goes that when Felipe II's soldiers returned from their military occupation of the Netherlands, some Andalucians among them were one night heard singing and dancing and playing the guitar, and someone assumed that they must have picked it all up in Flanders, contemptuously dubbing the genre "Flemish music". The fact that no one ever bothered to rectify this absurdity is a measure of the disregard in which it was held - just like "jazz" (originally a synonym for sexual intercourse), before the genre was dignified in Chicago.As for its origins, there is no reason to believe that flamenco is any more exclusively "gypsy" than is the violin music of Hungary or Russia - wherever they went, the gypsy people made their living telling fortunes, fixing pots and chairs, trading and playing the local music which people wanted to hear. As for the Arab influence, there are undoubted similarities in the singing style, but the eastern influence in European music was generally much more prevalent in the Middle Ages and did not have to specifically stem from them. In fact, the origins of flamenco are much older than the arrival of the gypsies in the 15th century, going back even earlier than the invasion of the Moors in the 8th.
Musicologists currently believe that flamenco singing was, in the beginning, a profane version of early Christian liturgical "plain song" (Roman, Byzantine, Mozarabic), the direct descendant of which is what we now call "Gregorian chant". Of course, in a melting pot like Andalucia, every new race or tribe added its particular seasoning to the dish, and the gypsies, originating from northwestern India, did not fail to contribute the intricate rhythms of their native ragas. At best, flamenco is an incongruous patchwork of musical genres which is most accurately described as "the music which is played in southern Spain"..."

[Tomas-Lobos]

A cut and paste:
A BRIEF HISTORY OF FLAMENCO

The roots of Flamenco can be traced back for centuries. Born from the expression of a persecuted people, most notably, the Gypsies of Southern Spain, its unique blend of influences and musical complexity can be attributed to the consequences of the decree made in Spain 1492 by Catholic Spanish King Ferdinand V and Queen Isabella that everyone living under their domain convert to Catholicism. This proclamation was issued under the threat of varying degrees of punishment, the most severe being the death penalty, by fire. Gypsies, Muslims, Jews and anyone living in Spain at the time was ordered to convert. It is believed that because of this decree these different ethnic groups came together to help each other, and within this melding of cultures Flamenco was born.
Flamenco, in general, consists of three artistic elements: the singing (cante), the dance (baile) and the guitar (guitarra). In addition, there are often members of a Flamenco group playing "palmas" or hand-clapping. The relationship between the artists is similar to that of Jazz-there is a basic structure that one must follow, but at its heart, it is an improvised form. The singing is the center of the Flamenco group. The dancer physically interprets the words and emotion of the singer through his or her movements, which include percussive footwork and intricate hand, arm and body movements. The guitarist provides the accompaniment to the singer and dancer, accentuating his or her vocal lines and/or melodies.
Most scholars will agree that the birthplace of Flamenco is Jerez de la Frontera, a small city in Southern Spain. However, because of the nomadic nature of the Gypsies, who moved from town to town selling their wares and doing odd jobs, Flamenco quickly gained roots in several Andalucian towns, including Sevilla and Granada. Flamenco went through many phases in the 18th and 19th centuries, including the performance of the form by non-Gypsies. Ironically, this is what gave the form its legitimacy, as it was seen in theatres and cafes. It can also be said that it became commercial, with the obvious negative implications, as well as quite successful. And although the Gypsies did not achieve respect and honor for their contribution to the art form until many years later, they have always been considered the best interpreters of the Flamenco arts.
Towards the end of the 19th century flamenco entered the commercial arena. This led to the evolution of 'professional' artists and culminated in the period of the 'cafes cantantes' (song and dance cafes) where flamenco could be heard and seen in public. This evolution also led to changes in the nature of the songs as fads developed for particular types of cante. Many of the more primitive forms languished, and some were totally lost, while other more upbeat forms achieved tremendous popularity. Growing commercialization continued until the 1950s when the influx of tourists to post-war Spain threatened to debase the art form completely. Fortunately, at this same time, several singers rediscovered the older forms and re-established interest in flamenco as an art form as well as a commercial form of music. This process depended in part on memories of older amateur singers, as there were few recordings to reference. The establishment of Flamenco Festivals during the 1960s - 1980s reinforced this revival. Although some regard these as having stifled the intimacy and spontaneity of Flamenco, they undoubtedly opened up the art to a wider public and provided opportunities for new artists.
Today, Flamenco is nothing short of an international phenomenon. The city where the first cries of Flamenco were heard, Jerez, now hosts an annual Flamenco Festival that attracts thousands of visitors from across the world. Flamenco fans, or "aficionados," can be found in most any country. Flamenco is an art form that inspires, educates and entertains people the world over.

[flamencoguru]

The world FLAMENCO in Spanish actually means four things:

FLAMENCO- the folk music and art in the south of Spain.
FLAMENCO- the language "Flemish" spoken in parts of Belgium and France.
FLAMENCO- A person that is "Flemish".
FLAMENCO- the pink bird called "Flamingo".

Flamenco, as far as the art goes to the best of my knowledge, came from a mix of cultures including Gypsies, Jews, Arabs and Christians. I'm sure there were others living there at the time.

Flamenco is a big mystery and is still evolving everyday. Enjoy it.

Cheers.

[Jubilee Valence]

Quote: "Flamenco is a cross-breed music that is open to other sounds. In this sense, Hispanoamerican music has has a strong influence on the Andalusian sound. In fact, already in the 19th century, many cantaores (flamenco singers) introduced rhythms whose origins lay on the other side of the Atlantic into flamenco. That's how the cantes de ida y vuelta (styles deriving from the interaction between Spanish migrants and popular songs with Hispanic American folk music and customs, before returning to Spain and being influenced, in turn, by flamenco music) appeared. These palos, which are happier and more rhythmic, have always been a good approach route to flamenco for those who, initially, find the more "jondo" (term used to refer to the deepest, most traditional and sombre expressions of flamenco singing) aspects too difficult to digest." End quote

--- http://www.esflamenco.com/scripts/news/ennews.asp?frmIdPagina=557

[WillBee]

Actually, the name Flamenco (referring to the music) comes from none of than Esteban!

This is a purportely true story from Esteban old website (sorry no link available):

While he was studying with Old World masters like Sabicas, Esteban consistently amazed the Spainards with his fluid tone and phrasing. Back then, the music was commonly known by the racially prejorative term "gypsy music." Sabicas decided to rename the syle "Flamenco" in honor of Esteban's middle name: Fleming.

[thedrizzle]

I knew someone was going to bring up Esteban sooner or later in this thread. All things guitar begin and end with Esteban and the sooner we all realize this the sooner we can bask in his glory.

VIVA LA ESTEBAN!!!

[brian richardson]

i feel sorry for his hat.

[Great Googly Moogly]

Actually, the name Flamenco (referring to the music) comes from none of than Esteban!

This is a purportely true story from Esteban old website (sorry no link available):

While he was studying with Old World masters like Sabicas, Esteban consistently amazed the Spainards with his fluid tone and phrasing. Back then, the music was commonly known by the racially prejorative term "gypsy music." Sabicas decided to rename the syle "Flamenco" in honor of Esteban's middle name: Fleming.That is the funniest, most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! LOL! ROFL

[Jubilee Valence]

Actually, the name Flamenco (referring to the music) comes from none of than Esteban!

This is a purportely true story from Esteban old website (sorry no link available):

While he was studying with Old World masters like Sabicas, Esteban consistently amazed the Spainards with his fluid tone and phrasing. Back then, the music was commonly known by the racially prejorative term "gypsy music." Sabicas decided to rename the syle "Flamenco" in honor of Esteban's middle name: Fleming.That is the funniest, most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! LOL! ROFL

pppsstt! It's TRUE!! :shock:

'da rest of th' story, see, has ol' Andres th' Giant bestowin' the name "Estupido-pendejo" unto our very own chum Steve Paul

...but Steve Paul bein' a true classic "estupido pendejo" (Andres Segovio never lies!) he changed it to the more flamingo'ish "esteban" (check out th' nails...you'll get it! ;) ) uhhh mainly cuz' he can't say ESTUPIDO PENDEJO :mrgreen:

Jubi

moral: everybody knows that A.S. & the pink flamingos clashed....so he showed the kid some chops & convinced him ta' paint his nails pink & "viola!!"

& there it is.... ;)
________

:arrow: Page 64 right? Acoustic Guitar magazine?? Full page ad for Estupido Pendejo!

:idea: ...now ya' know why....*hmmmm??? :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

_______

*"why"...I'm banned...& "why" they're promoting the "gift...."

...like begets like;
________

the dark force prevails

for a time

and times

and half a time....

--but not on my time! :wink:

Jubidubiduuu'