Danzon - dance
National dance of Cuba, evolved from danza.
DanzĂłn
- Significance: Considered Cubaâs national dance.
- Premiered: 1879 in Matanzas by Miguel FaĂlde.
- Style: Elegant ballroom dance, derived from European contradance.
- Blend: European structure + Afro-Cuban rhythms.
- Structure: abacada
Instruments
Originally performed by orquesta tĂpica:
Later, charangas took over: flute, violins, piano, bass, and timbales.
Rhythm:
- Built on a cinquillo rhythm (a syncopated five-note pattern).
- The dance has a slow, elegant tempo, often in 2/4 or 4/4 time.
đ¶ Notable Figures
- Miguel FaĂlde â "father of danzĂłn," composed the first known danzĂłn: "Las Alturas de Simpson".
- Antonio MarĂa Romeu â legendary charanga leader who modernized danzĂłn.
- Israel "Cachao" LĂłpez â bassist and composer, helped develop danzĂłn-mambo, bridging into Afro-Cuban jazz.
Modern Relevance
- DanzĂłn is still performed today in Cuba and Mexico (especially Veracruz and YucatĂĄn).
- It holds ceremonial and nostalgic value and is performed at traditional events.
- Some contemporary orchestras and dancers keep the danzĂłn tradition alive with festivals and social dances.
National dance of Cuba, evolved from danza.
Lees meer >Form Breakdown ( ABACADA)
A â Main Theme
- Graceful, lyrical melody in 2/4 (habanera feel).
- Introduces the character of the piece.
B â Contrasting Theme
- Different melody, lighter texture.
- Provides contrast, but still elegant.
A â Return of Main Theme
- Listeners recognize it, dancers reorient.
C â New Section
- Usually more playful, with syncopated rhythms.
- Contrast in mood and orchestration.
A â Main Theme again
- Keeps the piece grounded.
D â Montuno-like Section
- More rhythmic, sometimes featuring instrumental solos.
- Anticipates the later Cuban montuno style.
A â Final Return of Main Theme
- Brings closure and balance.
Lees meer >The following dances have their origin in Matanzas:
- Rumba
- YambĂș
- GuaguancĂł
- DanzĂłn
- AbakuĂĄ
-
Arara
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Timbales
History
Timbales were introduced in Cuban danzĂłn during the late 19th century.
Hereâs how it happened:
- The earliest danzĂłn was played by orquestas tĂpicas, which used heavier European-style timpani and military-style percussion.
- Around the 1870sâ1880s, these large drums were replaced by the pailas criollas (what we now call timbales). They were lighter, more agile metal drums better suited for Cuban dance rhythms.
- This innovation helped shape the charanga francesa ensemble (flute, violins, piano, bass, gĂŒiro, timbales), which became the standard for danzĂłn, danzonete, and later chachachĂĄ.
đ So, the timbales first entered Cuban music through danzĂłn and then became central to many genres afterwards (mambo, salsa, songo, timba).
Origins
Inventor: Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655â1731), an Italian instrument maker in Florence.
Date: Around 1700, Cristofori built the first instrument he called a âgravicembalo col piano e forteâ â meaning harpsichord with soft and loud.
Lees meer >Timba, the explosive and rhythmically rich genre of Cuban dance music, transformed how the bass functions in popular music. In Timba, the bass is not just foundational â itâs fiery, funky, and free.
Lees meer >Dances
- DanzĂłn â The quintessential Cuban ballroom dance, elegant and formal, often seen as the "national dance of Cuba."
- Danzonete â A sung variant of danzĂłn that became popular in the 1920sâ30s.
- Cha-cha-chĂĄ â Created in the 1950s by Enrique JorrĂn while playing with a charanga; specifically designed for charanga orchestras.
- Pachanga â A playful dance and rhythm from the late 1950s/early 1960s, closely linked to charanga bands.
- Mambo (in its earlier Cuban form) â Before the big-band New York mambo, charangas also played early mambo-style danzones.
- Charanga is a Cuban ensemble style and musical tradition that dates back to the early 20th century. It became especially popular in the 1940sâ50s and played a crucial role in the evolution of salsa, timba, and Latin jazz.
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