Coming from the contradanza, habanera is at the same time the
first sung expression born in Cuba, and the first world
ambassador of Cuban music.
During the 30ties of the 19th century, the style is
detected in Havana. Moda in baile, published in
1842 in the newspaper Havana Prensa, is the
first known printed expression. In the 19th century,
habanera spreads in Spain, brought by the sailors who
come and go between the Spanish ports and Havana.
In the other end of the world, the Rio de la Plata,
powerful estuary which bathes Buenos Aires, is an ideal
penetration way for South America : brought by the Cuban
sailors, the melancholic and languorous habanera appeals
Argentina, where it will be a fundamental basis for the
tango. The word tango don't forget it : mix of
Spain and of Africa, habanera plants its roots in the bantú tango congo.
The most known habanera, La Paloma, is a
Basque-Spaniard's composition, Sebastián Yradier, which
lives then in Havana, during these 60ties of the 19th
century. Another composition of Sebastián Yradier, El
Arreglito, appeals to George Bizet, who integrates
it in his opera Carmen (L'Amour est enfant de Bohème).
The characteristic rhythm of the habanera is frequently
used by compositors of classical music, listening to
popular musics : the Spanish Albeniz or Manuel de Falla,
or the French compositors Chabrier, Saint-Saëns, Debussy
or Ravel (L'Heure espagnole).
The style is also adopted by trovadores, conquered by soft nostalgia emerging from
its rhythm, able to emphasize poetry and lyricism of the
words.
hembra
The female, larger of any
two paired percussive instruments (bongos, clave,
timbales,etc).
hierro
Term used to describe the
Guataca - the hoe blade - or other metal sound used as
the cowbell accompaniment to the Rumba Columbia and other
folkloric Afro 6/8 styles.
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