For many decades Donn Pohren's "The Art of Flamenco" stood virtually alone as the only book available in the English language that gave a full overview of flamenco in all its aspects, but presented from his idiosyncratic point of view. Now there are many competing works available in English, each presenting different and at times contradictory information. However, what has been missing is a well-researched history of the cultures out of which flamenco had grown when it made its first, nascent appearances in the latter part of the eighteenth century.
This is the first part of a series of brief, illustrated monographs/articles on flamenco that are based on the author's close to fifty years of experience and research. Written like a travel narrative, this first part takes the reader on a brief journey through the history of Spain in general and Andalucía in particular, drawing upon multiple sources, including some originally in the Arabic language. Explored and presented are the startling array of linguistic, ethnic, religious, racial and economic influences that had to fuse together to create this highly unique art. In the process some fresh insights are presented, such as how this art form came to be called "flamenco": Over the last century and a half several theories were proposed, but most have been refuted by historical and linguistic facts and none were generally accepted, so to this day the word's origins have been a mystery. However, the author presents a new theory based upon evidence that had previously been overlooked - such as the Andalusians' famous dry wit in the face of the absurdities with which they were so often confronted.
This is the first part of a series of brief, illustrated monographs/articles on flamenco that are based on the author's close to fifty years of experience and research. Written like a travel narrative, this first part takes the reader on a brief journey through the history of Spain in general and Andalucía in particular, drawing upon multiple sources, including some originally in the Arabic language. Explored and presented are the startling array of linguistic, ethnic, religious, racial and economic influences that had to fuse together to create this highly unique art. In the process some fresh insights are presented, such as how this art form came to be called "flamenco": Over the last century and a half several theories were proposed, but most have been refuted by historical and linguistic facts and none were generally accepted, so to this day the word's origins have been a mystery. However, the author presents a new theory based upon evidence that had previously been overlooked - such as the Andalusians' famous dry wit in the face of the absurdities with which they were so often confronted.
