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SPV Articles, Sections and Links
Pages
Flamenco
Although flamenco is not, as most people think, the
Spanish folk music, there is no doubt it is the most widely
known. A page of selected, annotated links. Flamenco singers,
guitarists, dancers, songs, dances and other websites.
The
Fatalism of Fado
A feature article of mine on Portugal's most characteristic
music, its venues and performers.
Elsewhere on the Net
Amalia
Rodrígues
A brief bio of the late, undisputed queen of fado, Amalia
Rodrígues.
Basque
Musical Instruments
The Basques can be irritatingly chauvinistic. It may be fair
to say that "the Basque culture is the oldest in Europe,"
but to continue by affirming that they "probably invented
European music" is just ridiculous. That said, their musical
instruments are genuine treasures for the musical historian,
and this page, a corner of "Basque Culture and Music," is
very well presented.
Cancionera
(Songbook) de la Tuna de Valencia
The "tuna" is not a fish but a kind of choir, usually made
up of students, who dress up in Elizabethan-era costume to
sing their repertoire, a mixture of serenades and humorous
songs. If you are lucky, you may see a tuna serenading a balcony,
which is when they are at their best. They also make sporadic
pocket money going round the tables in restaurants in groups
of three or four.
Carlos
Nuñez
Carlos Nuñez is a former child prodigy who has achieved the
unlikely feat of becoming a world star playing the bagpipes.
The
Celtic Music of Spain
A great page on the traditional music of Galicia and, to a
lesser extent, Asturias, made newly popular by Carlos Nuñez
and the more commercial Jose Hevia, with well-chosen examples
of available recordings. Recommended.
Chasing
the Fado
A first-class, beautifully written, thankfully low-tech introduction
to the fado by an American who discovered it at a distance.
Really impressive.
Dulce
Pontes Bela Voz
Portugal's (deservedly) best-known songstress on a stupendous
fan site.
Fado
Venues, from Nancy's Portugal
There are few parts of Portugal and Madeira which have not
been metaphorically plundered and pillaged by splendid Vikingess
Nancy. Here is her list of fado venues in Lisbon.
The
Fado of Coimbra
To the tutored ear, the fado of Coimbra is quite different
from that of Lisbon. This site fills you in quite well.
The
Galician Bagpipes
A splendidly thorough presentation of the little-known Galician
bagpipes, the gaita. Learning, technical considerations,
players... First class.
Ibiza
Dance Music
More specifically, the "History of Dance Music on Ibiza, 1995-2000,"
from Ibiza Spotlight. It may not sit comfortably in between
the flamenco and the fado, but you have to admit it is culture.
House, trance, remixes... with fabulous Real Audio samples.
Ibiza
- Special Events 2002
From the indispensable Ibiza-Spotlight.com.
Ibizawebcast.com
Clubbers will find this Ibiza news site essential, and in
the middle of winter when you are feeling nostalgic for summer
party nights, it can bring them right back.
An
Introduction to Spanish (Folk) Music - from the BBC
- Best of the Net
The (folk) is in brackets because this is first page of a
longer article dealing with Spanish "classical"
music from the Renaissance to the 20th century. It contains
a real translation howler ("flamenco" does mean
"flamingo," it is true, but the musical use of the
word almost certainly derives from its meaning of "Flemish"),
but rightly points out the great variety and vigour of the
different Spanish cultures. Excellent.
Liceu
The Liceu in Barcelona is the best opera house in Spain. However,
Spain and Portugal for Visitors feels obliged to remove its
"Best of the Net" qualification to protest the Círculo del
Liceo's refusal to admit women as members - including the
great Montserrat Caballé.
Madredeus
The ethereal Madredeus are Portugal's most exportable musical
product. This is a hi-tech site, so be prepared for waits,
but it is bursting over with content.
MidiPortugal
As the name suggests, enjoyable Midi versions of traditional
Portuguese songs.
Misia
For a number of reasons, Misia has attracted a new generation
of fado fans. This site has photos, news, links... all you
could ask for.
Musical
Spanish
This company wants to sell you songs in Spanish as a means
of learning the language. It may be a good method for some
- I know one Spanish waiter who learned very passable English
by studying Pink Floyd albums - though I am not sure of their
selection. La cucaracha?
Sephardic
Music
A record review with a lot of information on Sephardic music
(the Sephards were the Spanish jews expelled by the Catholic
monarchs) in Salonika.
Sound
of the Fado, from the Lisbon Pages
Some mouth-watering, oh-too-short samples.
Spanish
Early Music
Spanish early music in Midi format may not be about to make
the top ten, but this scholarly site is simply splendid. Especially
recommendable is the Misteri d'Elx, the Elche Mystery
Play.
Spanish
Traditional Music
A most impressive breakdown of Spain into its regional cultures
with their associated forms of music, with slightly weak descriptions,
but excellent when dealing with the instruments used. If only
it did not commit the Internet sin of holding linked pages
within a frame.
Vicente
Amigo
Vicente Amigo is the flamenco man-of-the-moment.
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