Alegrías
Encyclopedia
Alegrías is a flamenco
palo
or musical form, which has a rhythm consisting of 12 beats. It is similar to Soleares. Its beat emphasis is as follows: 1 2 [3] 4 5 [6] 7 [8] 9 [10] 11 [12]. Alegrías originated in Cádiz
. Alegrías belongs to the group of palos called Cantiñas
and it is usually played in a lively rhythm (120-170 beats per minute). The livelier speeds are chosen for dancing, while quieter rhythms are preferred for the song alone.
One of the structurally strictest forms of flamenco, a traditional dance in alegrías must contain each of the following sections: a salida (entrance), paseo (walkaround), silencio (similar to an adagio in ballet), castellana (upbeat section) zapateado (Literally "a tap of the foot") and bulerías
. This structure though, is not followed when alegrías are sung as a standalone song (with no dancing). In that case, the stanzas are combined freely, sometimes together with other types of cantiñas
.
Recommended listenings for this palo include most singers from Cádiz, like Chano Lobato
, La Perla de Cádiz, Aurelio Sellé, but also general singers like Manolo Caracol
or La Niña de los Peines
.
Also, you can listen "Mar Amargo" from Camarón and "La Tarde es Caramelo" from Vicente Amigo.
It is one of the cante chico forms of flamenco. The word Alegrías literally means "joys."
Flamenco
Flamenco is a genre of music and dance which has its foundation in Andalusian music and dance and in whose evolution Andalusian Gypsies played an important part....
palo
Palo (flamenco)
A palo is the name traditionally given in the flamenco environment for the different musical forms that constitute the traditional musical heritage of flamenco...
or musical form, which has a rhythm consisting of 12 beats. It is similar to Soleares. Its beat emphasis is as follows: 1 2 [3] 4 5 [6] 7 [8] 9 [10] 11 [12]. Alegrías originated in Cádiz
Cádiz
Cadiz is a city and port in southwestern Spain. It is the capital of the homonymous province, one of eight which make up the autonomous community of Andalusia....
. Alegrías belongs to the group of palos called Cantiñas
Cantiñas
The Cantiñas is a group of flamenco palos , originated in the area of Cádiz in Andalusia . They share the same compás or rhythmic pattern with the soleá and are usually sung in a lively rhythm...
and it is usually played in a lively rhythm (120-170 beats per minute). The livelier speeds are chosen for dancing, while quieter rhythms are preferred for the song alone.
One of the structurally strictest forms of flamenco, a traditional dance in alegrías must contain each of the following sections: a salida (entrance), paseo (walkaround), silencio (similar to an adagio in ballet), castellana (upbeat section) zapateado (Literally "a tap of the foot") and bulerías
Bulerias
Bulería is a fast flamenco rhythm in 12 beats with emphasis in two general forms as follows:1 2 [3] 4 5 [6] 7 [8] 9 [10] 11 [12]or...
. This structure though, is not followed when alegrías are sung as a standalone song (with no dancing). In that case, the stanzas are combined freely, sometimes together with other types of cantiñas
Cantiñas
The Cantiñas is a group of flamenco palos , originated in the area of Cádiz in Andalusia . They share the same compás or rhythmic pattern with the soleá and are usually sung in a lively rhythm...
.
Recommended listenings for this palo include most singers from Cádiz, like Chano Lobato
Chano Lobato
Chano Lobato was a Spanish flamenco singer.Born in the Santa María neighborhood of Cadiz, he began performing at nightclubs in his hometown and later moved to Madrid, where he joined Alejandro Vega's Flamenco dance group...
, La Perla de Cádiz, Aurelio Sellé, but also general singers like Manolo Caracol
Manolo Caracol
Manuel Ortega Juárez. , was a flamenco cantaor.Born in Seville, Spain, he was descended from a long line of flamenco artists including Enrique Ortega and Curro Dulce, and he was possibly related to El Planeta and El Fillo...
or La Niña de los Peines
La Niña de los Peines
Pastora Pavón Cruz, known as La Niña de los Peines , is considered the most important woman flamenco singer of the 20th century. She was a sister of singers Arturo Pavón and Tomás Pavón, also an important flamenco singer, and aunt to Arturo Pavón, the first flamenco pianist...
.
Also, you can listen "Mar Amargo" from Camarón and "La Tarde es Caramelo" from Vicente Amigo.
It is one of the cante chico forms of flamenco. The word Alegrías literally means "joys."
Sources
ÁLVAREZ CABALLERO, Ángel: La discoteca ideal del flamenco, Editorial Planeta, Barcelona, 1995 ISBN 84-08-01602External links
- Flamenco Institute Flora Albaicín. Flamenco dance company and academy (the oldest and biggest of its kind in the world).
- Get to know the flamenco forms: alegrías
- Flamenco Forum