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
