Aficionados of Flamenco music must rejoice to see signs of a coming rebirth of Flamenco music’s Golden Age. Rekindled interest both in Spain and in other countries fan the flames of hope, after two periods, after the Spanish Civil War, and again during the 1960’s, when the music experienced declining interest.
The popularization of chintzy, watered-down Flamenco music in the theater, in tourist traps, in holiday resorts, and on records, contributed to that decline. In only a few decades, this unique folk art form gave in to overwhelming commercial pressure to sell its magic to the huge audience that awaited it. Inevitably, the creative process came almost to a standstill, and its deepest inspiration was all but lost. Only its superficial flamboyance could be marketed to a non-Flamenco audience.
Thankfully, the interest in pure Flamenco music is on the rise today. Commercial pressures will not abate, but at least there are now a growing number of people, keenly aware of Flamenco music’s near-destruction, who seek to revive the creative force in Flamenco. The music world outside Spain, finally recognizing the rich contributions from the ancient cultures of southern Spain and northern Africa, is more than ready to learn the authentic art of Flamenco. No doubt, these newcomers to the art will in turn contribute to its future development.
In recent years, the Flamenco guitar community has trended toward more complex syncopations, along with more ‘modern’ harmonies. Musicians have attempted to combine the Flamenco guitar with other instruments as well. The backbone of Flamenco, however, remains constant. In fact, there has been a resurgence of the driving force of the compas, which sadly had diminished in importance when Flamenco music was on the wane. At one point, the Fandango was nearly the only element of Flamenco music which seemed to survive, the downturn in the music’s popularity following closely on the heels of the huguely popular Malaguenas of Juan Breva.
Since the 1960’s, however, the Rumba has replaced the Fandango as the cante most popular with the general public. But there are encouraging signs that the number of fans of the more deeply Flamenco Cante is growing rapidly. Fortunately for Flamenco enthusiasts, there is a resurgence of passion for this music, another generation rediscovering the Cante as the heart of Flamenco music.
