A-Z Blogging Challenge for April. I'll post every day except Sunday. Today is the letter H. My theme is Flamenco.
H is for Hondo
Hondo is the deep song, the pure original expression of Flamenco. In it's oldest form, it comes from religious chants. It is this melancholy chanting that people, unfamiliar with Flamenco, sometimes find contrary to their idea of music. Singing in Hondo requires great effort because it calls for deep emotion and full power of the lungs and throat. There are very few Hondo singers in the US and I would consider myself fortunate to live near one.
There's also a lighter singing style, known as Cante Chico. This version deals with love and a more optimistic outlook. It is also often referred to as Modern Flamenco.
All are brilliant but there's nothing to compare to a well sung Hondo song. May it live on forever.
P.S. Readers are asking for an example. Here's one on YouTube (also spelled Jondo)
" EL ALCAYATAS " CANTE JONDO FRAGUERO
Hey, thanks for teaching me something today; never heard of Hondo and well, know I can say I know a slight bit and will have to go and seek more info. I love music...
ReplyDeleteHappy A to Z~
Manzanita, is there any chance of you linking somehow to some of this singing. I've never heard of it at all and can't imagine what it sounds likeSue@JumpingAground (alliteration & drabbles)
ReplyDeleteSue@traverselife(Workplace bullying)
New to me too!!
ReplyDeleteManzanita, you are just a wealth of imformation.
I am so gonna google Hondo and search for some song samples of this on youtube - there must be samples!!! I'm so intrigued - thank you Manzanita!! Take care
ReplyDeletex
I'll be following Old Kitty. This is totally new to me.
ReplyDeleteHere's a YouTube Hondo also spelled Jondo.
ReplyDelete" EL ALCAYATAS " CANTE JONDO FRAGUERO
EL ALCAYATAS " CANTE JONDO FRAGUERO
ReplyDeleteTracy, Sue, Terry, Old Kitty , Patti.
You can listen to Hondo (also spelled Jondo) at above link to YouTube.
It's difficult to find pure hondo on YouTube. Everything is so commercialized. The above is the closest I cold find at the moment.
Is this a talent that is still sung today? Is it still popular with the younger generation?
ReplyDeleteVery interesting!
Irene, It's still sung in Spain and is more popular with the older flamencos. But let's get real.... does the younger generation appreciate and preserve anything from their ancestors?
ReplyDeleteBoy, that's some emotional stuff, even though I don't understand a word. I really had no idea Flamenco was so intense, has such an emotional history.
ReplyDeleteFeel like I'm leanring so much about flamenco with your posts! Am enjoying them, and will return tomorrow for more!
ReplyDeleteI would love to learn this! I'm stopping by from the A to Z challenge and I look forward to reading more from you.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of Muslim prayers, Jewish cantors, and Kahiko chants, but more dark and rather sad, Most likely a reflection of their oppression. How old is flamenco? Had it started during the Inquisition?
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and leaving a comment, it meant so much to me.
ReplyDeleteI have copied the iformation on Hondo and am going to You tube now.
Have a wonderful day, you're the best!
I'd never heard of hondo either and thank you, Manzi, for broadening my horizons and spuring me on -- gonna google hondo and a bit more around hondo/jondo and water the learning seeds you've planted. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHub is greatly cheered that the Red Sox won their opener!
I'd never heard of Hondo. Thanks for the enlightening post! I know the flamenco I saw the gypsies dance in a cave in Sacromonte Granada was much different from the smiling flamenco dancers in Seville!
ReplyDeleteGood Point. It's like a dying art. Only a small group of youth will probably keep it alive. Those with deep roots to the music.
ReplyDeleteI love the knowledge I am soaking up each time I visit! Hondo..great new word for scrabble!
ReplyDeleteNice.....I didnt know that.
ReplyDeleteLisa
InspiredbyLisa
I like Hondo...when I began the post, I thought you meant Honda! :). Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of Hondo and this was interesting to listen to... very different.
ReplyDeleteSu-sieee: Flamenco origins are murky and shrouded in mystery.All accounts differ. Probably because of Turkish invasions there was a whole caste system expelled from India in the late 14th century.They wandered different routes and ended up scattered throughout the world. No records were kept and no common language but Rom or Romani is the accepted language and they prefer to be called Romani but the world still recognizes them as Gypsies and Flamencos. Although many of the Rom live in Romania, that is NOT where their name originates. They've been a fascinating study for me for my whole life.
ReplyDeleteBish: I've studies many forms of dance and Flamenco wins on the emotional scale.
ReplyDeleteTheycallmevarmit: Thanks. It's a pleasure to exchange blog readings with you.
Sylvia: Have a happy blog reading day.
Cherie : It's my pleasure to know you and your beautiful photography.
Kitty: Your comments are always cheer my soul. Tell hubs..... "Go Red Sox."
Laura: I have a post coming on Sacromonte. Happy that you were able to see it.
Shawn: Scrabble is a fun game. Always learning new words. Ha
Lisa: Happy that you stopped.
damiantiwrites: Honda would be a "driving force." Ha ha
Kay: Good to see you on this happy bloggy day. Thanks for the comment.
I appreciate your thoughtful comments, everyone.
Manzanita
Terrific! I have seen flamenco several times in Europe, but I never heard of Hondo. Great post!
ReplyDeleteAnother new thing for me to learn. I'm so glad you are doing this challenge. Everyday is something new.
ReplyDeleteManzi, I would never have guessed India. So much about the world--past and present--to learn about. Thanks for the run-down.
ReplyDeleteYou have such an amazing roundup. Who would have thought you could do A-Z on flamenco?
ReplyDeleteI don't suppose there's anything you don't know about Flamenco.
ReplyDeleteIt's good of you to spread this knowledge which we would otherwise not
be able to collect.
JJ: It's just the deep song. I doubt if they use the title much.
ReplyDeleteBernie: Not many Americans are interested in Flamenco.
Beth: I'm chuckling. It's just that I've had a long time to gather information. :)
Friko: Anyone can collect it but it's not a popular interest to most.
Hi there Manzanita,
ReplyDeleteNice to see yet another blogger taking up the great 'Alphabet Challenge' :)
Very interesting info regarding 'Hondo' and I must admit this is all new to me.
And thus, you have covered the letter 'H'. Now then 'I' wonder what the next letter might possibly be.
"Wanna Buy A Duck" Now there's a 'fowl' idea :)
Take care and have fun.
Interesting. I can see how Hondo can be very difficult on the voice.
ReplyDelete:-)