Music Group 2021-05-20

Music from the Iberian Peninsula

  Myndall

       Manuel de Falla — La Vida Breve (Life is Short)

Performed by Duo del Mar: Barcelona classical guitarists Ekaterina Zaytseva (from Russia) and Marta Robles.

Manuel de Falla (23 November 1876 — 14 November 1946) was a Spanish composer and pianist. He was one of Spain's most important musicians of the first half of the 20th century. La Vida Breve was composed in 1904-5 and is an hour long opera that is rarely performed, but the danse from Act II has been transcribed and performed using different instrumentation.

  Liz

       II Tubú (Modos) : Gríbt l-Hsín / Gribí Muharrara / Síka 7.1-7.8

Please listen to the first three minutes of this track, which is based on a poem written by 13th century Sufi mystic Al-Shushtari, who was born in Granada, Spain.

  Mike

       Cante Alentejano — Portugal — Grupo Coral “Os Almocreves” da Amieira

This was recommended by my friend Anne, who lives in Santarem, Portugal. Her ex-husband is from the Alentejo region and her family is quite familiar with this form of music. I spoke with her daughter, who went to school with my daughters, at length about this. Quite fascinating. Optional viewing: there is a ten-minute documentary on this style of traditional music found on the page linked below (first of the three videos at the bottom of the page). I recommend watching at least the first minute or two if you have time. If you get fixated on these, like I did, there are literally sixty of them here.  ...  Direct link to the documentary.

  Larry

       Andrés Segovia — Torroba - Fandanguillo

When I think of Spanish music I think of guitar. And when I think of Spanish guitar I think of Andrés Segovia and Paco de Lucía. Here is something by Segovia.

  Mary

       Shalom Aleichem — Barcelona Gipsy Klezmer Orchestra Live

While searching for world music last week, I stumbled upon the Barcelona Gipsy Klezmer Orchestra. Their music is a modern fusion of Spanish, Klezmer, Sephardic music. I enjoyed their video too and assume it's Barcelona.

Shalom Aleichem is a traditional Jewish greeting for peace to you.

  Leslie

       C. Tangana — Tu me dejaste de querer

After looking into popular music last week from Taiwan and Uganda, I was curious about what music young people in Spain were listening to. For the week ending May 8, in the top 10, there were two songs from a Canadian singer, a disco song from a German group, three songs from U.S. singers, a spunky dance/rave song from a British DJ (at number 1), in addition to three songs from Spanish performers.

I wasn't even going to share this, but if you want to listen, about ten seconds will give you the idea.

  Deb

       Madredeus — A Andorinha da Primavera

Listen to the first three minutes.

       A Andorinha da Primavera (English translation)

       The Little Swallow of Spring
       Little black winged swallow where are you going?
       You who fly so high
       Come, take me with you up to the heavens,
       For from there I will greet my love

       Oh little swallow of Spring
       Oh how I wish I could also fly
       how great it would be
       Oh little swallow of Spring
       to also fly.

Madredeus are a Portuguese musical ensemble formed in 1985, in Lisbon, Portugal. Their music combines traditional Portuguese music, fado and folk music. Madredeus are one of the most successful music groups from Portugal, having sold over 3 million albums worldwide.

Fado music is a form of Portuguese singing that is often associated with pubs, cafés, and restaurants. This music genre officially originated in Portugal around the 1820s, though it is thought to have much earlier origins. Fado is known for how expressive and profoundly melancholic it is. In fado music, the musician will sing about the hard realities of daily life, balancing both resignation and hopefulness that a resolution to its torments can still occur. It can be described by using the Portuguese word saudade, which means ″longing″ and stands for a feeling of loss. This loss is generally permanent and of long-term consequence. Fado music often has one or two 12 string guitars, one or two violas, and sometimes a small 8 string bass.

[Initially, Larry posted this, too. Since Deb posted it, Larry switched. But here is his text for this]:

I thought I would contribute some Portuguese Fado music. Listen to at least the first three minutes of the Madredeus song.

From Wikipedia in reference to Fado music:

Although the origins are difficult to trace, today fado is commonly regarded as simply a form of song which can be about anything, but must follow a certain traditional structure. In popular belief, fado is a form of music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor, and infused with a sentiment of resignation, fate and melancholia.

  Bob

       Mediterranean Sundance/Rio Ancho — Paco de Lucía, etc.

        Song Title: Mediterranean Sundance/ Rio Ancho
        Musicians: Al DiMeola, John McLaughlin & Paco de Lucía
        Album: Friday Night In San Francisco (Live).

  Lewis

       Flamenco fragment

I recorded this video in Costa Rica. I recommend that you download (save) it, then play the downloaded file, as for me it frequently halts when viewed online.