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Archive for the ‘Music’ Category
If you have been in Spain for longer than a day, most likely you have heard something about Flamenco (though it’s not quite as popular in Barcelona as it is throughout other cities in Spain). It’s difficult to describe Flamenco in just one word. Flamenco is a Spanish musical genre with strong, rhythmic undertones and is often accompanied with a similarly impassioned style of dance characterized by its powerful yet graceful execution, as well as its intricate hand and footwork.
Flamenco embodies a complex musical and cultural tradition. Although considered part of the culture of Spain in general, flamenco actually originates from one region: Andalusia. Flamenco’s origins can be traced to gypsies who came to the south of Spain (Andalucia) around 1400 AD. The art stands for temperamental and expressive emotions together with power. The roots of Flamenco can be traced back to a mixture of Jewish, African, Moorish, Caribbean and South American influences.
The style of Flamenco is distinctly different from other dance and music styles, characterized by it’s power, expressiveness and passion. For many Spaniards, Flamenco is not just music, it’s a way of life. Duende, literally translated to mean breathtaking, is a word used to describe the sensation that arises during a Flamenco performance. This exceptional moment occurs when the singer, dancers and/or guitarist are totally absorbed in the music and the audience is holding their breath, completely focused on the performers who possess the duende.
One thing that you must be certain to check off your “To Do List” in Barcelona is experience the music and dance scene. Barcelona is a city that thrives on music, art, and dance catering to every musical preference. Are you interested in learning how to take people’s breath away while they watch you dance? Or are you content to experience this incredible sensation and style of performance yourself? Flamenco concerts are given frequently in Barcelona and schools are available to learn this expressive and historical Spanish dance.
As a multicultural city, Barcelona has a rich music scene, with influences from all over the world. Musicians from all continents have gathered in the city, offering some magic music.
One sunday a month, the Jazz Orchestra of Barcelona , “Orquesta de Jazz” plays at the concert house Apolo, lightening up the city for a while with their Swing. The orchestra was founded 10 years ago and is directed by the trombonist Dani Alonso, who has inspired music teachers, and young promising persons, to be a part of the world of jazz.
In Barcelona’s old town, Jamboree is another good place dedicated to Jazz, offering a high level on their daily programme. Jamboree is one of the legandary clubs of Jazz in Spain. During the 70´s, great jazz musicians like Chet Baker, Ella Fitzgerald and Lionel Hampton were holding concerts at this historical place.
The traditional yearly held festival in Terrassa is another wonderful event. Every yearin late march, you will be able to hear jazz during the night in Terrassa. More than 250 artists are participating in more than 40 concerts (12 of them are free), held in different places in Terrassa.
* Also have a look at other restaurants and bars that have jazz events every week in the evening or night.
Music is a major part of the cultural activity of Barcelona. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the range of classical music on offer in Barcelona thanks to the opening of new facilities such as the L’Auditori (home to the Orquesta Simfònica de Barcelona), the Conservatori, the Museu de la Música, the Liceu (which since reopening has diversified its programme to include concerts and recitals), the Sala Winterthur, and the Auditori of the Caixa de Catalunya in the Pedrera or the Auditori of the Centre Cultural of the Fundación La Caixa, among others. Alongside these, Barcelona has other concert venues with an even longer history, such as the el Palau de la Música, with a new extension currently in construction.
In relation to the facilities detailed above, it is worth mentioning the high level of involvement in the special auditions for school pupils. Each year, more than 70,000 children and young people take part in these sessions, organized with the aim of enhancing young people’s appreciation of music.
Barcelona is a city that thrives on music, art, and dance catering to every musical preference. From jazz to hip hop, flamenco to world-famous DJs, Barcelona’s music and dance scenes have something for everyone. The Palau de la Musica Catalana is one of Barcelona’s most famous landmarks where you can catch concerts from Sarah McLachlan to the St. Petersburg Philharmonic. Barcelona has many other venues for classical and contemporary shows alike, as well as excellent dance performances.
In the field of symphonic and concert music, Catalonia has been the birthplace of composers and performers of international standing such as Enric Granados and Isaac Albéniz, the avant-garde composer Robert Gerhard, or the great cellist Pau Casals. A number of interesting concert cycles featuring leading musicians and ensembles are held in Barcelona´s magnificent Modernist-style concert hall, the Palau de la Música Catalana.
Another area of increasing interest is up-and-coming music, which the city actively promotes through the Urban Musics programme, Músiques urbanes de Barcelona.
In the private sector, Barcelona has a host of venues staging live music, among which are clubs specializing in jazz and other related initiatives. The city is also an important point on the tour circuits of international pop and rock stars, and Barcelona was set to host the MTV Europe Awards in November 2002.
All of the richness of this musical diversity is symbolized each year in the Festa de la Música, which takes music out onto the streets of Barcelona in a whole range of different settings, with the involvement of an ever-increasing number of professional and amateur musicians, visitors to the city, and the people of Barcelona themselves.
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