Sevillanas is the first flamenco dance style which I started to learn in Spanish dance studio "Duende". Of course, you have to start with the most basic moves, acquire the posture, hand movements, counting of the rhythm and then the steps. The classes are organized in small groups; thus it is easy for our dance teacher Ilvija to pay attention to everyone individually, correct mistakes and follow the performance. The hour scheduled for each class passes by unnoticed. Now something more about sevillanas itself.
Dance
Sevillanas is one of the best-known flamenco dance styles. People used to dance it at patios or at neighbourhood meetings in guest houses, which is also known as corrales and people have always danced it at romerias and other fiestas. The dance and its name come from the Seville area in Spain, where it is particularly popular in the districts of La Macarena, San Bernardo, La Feria and La Alameda Triana.
The dance is characterized by elegance, liveliness, sharp dynamics and flexibility, although in the last few years it has become a little slower. Sevillanas is a partner dance - a man and a woman or two women. It is mainly performed in 4 parts (4 coplas); each has a different choreography with a small pause between them.
The most important movements are paseíllos (a solemn introduction, or series of steps similar to walking), pasadas (change of partner), careos (change of partner, looking at each other) and remate (the movements of the dance emphasize the final part). Singing the final beat, the music and dance are stopped simultaneously and the performers finish with an elegant and challenging desplante (strong touches, that finish or culminate the series or a part of the touches of the dance), what is characteristic to dances for demonstrating attention.
Explicit movements of palms and fingers that have been trained long and thoroughly in the dance classes are significant for the dance. Shoulders down, not for a moment are the elbows lowered, the fingers form a wide fan and fists are closed, the wrist making a circular motion. Flexibility but at the same time - tensity and power in every twist of the wrist.
The legs almost sovereignly take the rhythmical dance steps, what really looks more like a walk, because the touches of the heels are not as sharp and rapid as in other flamenco dance styles. One must also get used to the rhythm and a different counting of beats that is nowhere near the Latvian traditional folk dances.
Rhythm
The rhythm is counted three times four, e.g., on three. It means that the first beat is stronger and the next two - weaker - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12.
Chant
Sevillana is a popular folk song, which is aflamencada (flamenconized, e.g., changed in the influence of flamenco) and is very widely played for several years already. Several variations of sevillanas can be distinguished: corraleras (for neighbour patios), bíblicas (with biblical themes), boleras, liturgícas (with liturgical or religious themes), de feria (tipically for celebrations) and rocieras (for the celebration of rocío). Sevilliana chants are performed by such popular bands as Los Romeros de la Puebla, Los Amigos de Gines, Las Corraleras de Lebrija, Cantores de Hispalis and Los del Río.
Rendition
With a guitar sevillanas can be played in different tonalities, because it depends on the pitch of the singer. Traditionally it is played in La minor and the middle part is played in Re minor. Percussion is often used as accompaniment; the clapping or the accentuation of the rhythm is performed by the dancers themselves with castanets.
Sources used:
http://www.duende.lv/wtf.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sevillanas
http://www.esflamenco.com/palos/ensevillanas.html
http://www.flamenco.ru/flamenco/articles/index.html
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