“Danzon Dance”
Danzón is the official genre and dance of Cuba. It was performed for first time on January first of 1879 in Matanzas city. This perform was called “Las Alturas de Simpson” and it was created for Miguel Failde. In addition, “Las Alturas de Simpson” was a place very popular in that city where many young people used to make parties.
At the beginning Danzón was classified as an indecent dance. In other words, the Danzón was initially regarded as scandalous, especially when it began to be danced by all classes of the society. The slower rhythm of the Danzón led to couples dancing closer, with sinuous movements of the hips and a lower centre of gravity. For this reason, people had to dance it in hidden. However, it was becoming very popular little by little. In fact, famous poets of that period wrote beautiful poems dedicated to Danzón. Moreover, important musicians and choreographers of the island such as Antonio Romeu, Raimundo Valenzuela and Jose Urfe contributed to enrich the Danzón with new steps and new pieces of music. By the decade of 1920s the Danzón became hugely popular, and was the dominant popular music in Cuba until the advent of the son.
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The group of musician who play Danzón usually use musical instrument such as piano, violin, kettledrum, flute, trombone, trumpet, conga, cowbell and double bass. The music they make sound pretty classical. However, it contains a particular rhythm that make the couple dance without stopping. This kind of rhythm is called the baqueteo.
Danzón is virtuoso music, with dance. A Danzón, in its original form, was not sung, and did not feature any improvisations, unlike some other Cuban genres. Also, Danzón is an elegant slow dance, danced in a closed partner position common to European ballroom dances, and follows the formal rondo (A-B-A-C-A) structure of the music.
The music begins with the A section; an introduction (four bars) and paseo (four bars) which is usually repeated. The A section is then followed by a B section, which is typically a 16-bar melody played by the violins. The A section then returns as an introduction and paseo again, which is repeated before a second melody is played, usually by the flute. The dancers do not dance during the A sections: they choose partners, stroll onto the dance floor, and begin to dance at precisely the same moment–when the fourth beat of the fourth bar of the paseo is played, characterized by a distinctive percussive pattern. Every time the introduction/paseo is repeated the dancers stop, chat, flirt, greet their friends, and start again, right on time as the paseo is completed
One of the most unique and compelling characteristics of Danzón is this intricate connection between the music and the dance, and between the musicians and the dancers. Following the musical structure and specific musical cues, dancers of classic danzón change their steps accordingly and move with musical phrases, at times allowing for some improvisation within the structure. This requires them to listen very closely to the music in order to hear an important cue, such as when to pause, when to make a big turn, or when the music is about to end.
The danzon could be danced for anybody in classical events in Cuba. However, today days is performed more frequently for old people. In other words, today days there are many other modern rhythms that are more danced among the young people in Cuba. For this reason, most time this kind of music and dance is performed by old people.
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The custom the people use when they perform any Danzón is very elegant. The women dress very nice dresses like classical dresses. These dresses are frequently close fitting with neckline and full skirt. In addition they use high heels shoes. On the other hand, men usually dress fitting pants. Furthermore, they use guayabera that is the classical shirt of Cuba. It is a very elegant fresh shirt. Also, men use patent leather shoes.
Since only old people perform this dance today in Cuba, they have created a movement called “Friend of Danzón”. This is a movement that has the purpose to spread the importance of this dance around the country. This organization has many clubs in the whole country and its integrant go around the cities of the country and performs this dance. Their major goal is to keep this dance alive and transmit this message to the younger generation.
In conclusion, Danzón is an elegant dance that make to the couples who are performing it to dream. It is the dance that represents a nation. In addition, whenever any Cuban are and heard or watch any perform about this dance it make him feel identified and make him remember his country. Moreover, it could make that Cuban wanted to dance.
