Transcript www.spiritofgreatoak.com

George Gershwin and the
Music of Cuba
Devon Ryle
Demographic
● Population: 3,647,000 people
● Ethnicities: Spanish, Africans, Haitians, French, Portugese, Italians,
Germans, Russians, Chinese, Filipinos, Lebanese and Jews.
● Religion: Catholicism, Afro-Cuban, Small communities of Jes, Muslims,
Buddhists and members of Baha'I.
●
●
:
Land Mass 42,426 sq miles(109,884 kilometers squared)
:
Geographical Influences An integral port island in the New World,
Cuba became home to nationalities from across the globe; it’s culture
derives from distinct Spanish influence with concrete African roots.
● Political Influences: Faced several generations of European colonial
influence, which Christianity had found a tight niche in common
society. It wasn’t until the 1900’s when Cuba would gain complete
independence, even developing into a fully communized state following
the historic Cuban Rebellion of 1959. Following the revolution, the
country became a primarily atheist state, though Catholicism had
deeply rooted into their culture.
Music of the Island
-Cuba is home to
nationalities from
around the globe,
but the dominant
African demographic
has influence above
all else.
- Most people
associate Cuba with
predominantly Latino
ancestry; on the
contrary, most of the
population are direct
descendants of the
vast number of
slaves brought from
West Africa from the
16th-19th century.
Music of the Island
●
Son: Son gave birth to all other Cuban music genres. It originated in the
19th century as a combination of Spanish verse & chorus, and African vocals
and drumming.
●
Salsa: This famous genre is descended from Cuban son, but also
borrows heavily from other styles, particularly American jazz. Salsa dancing
has been influenced by Afro-Cuban forms, especially rumba.
●
Rumba: A catch-all word for various forms of Afro-Cuban song and
dance.
●
Bolero: From Santiago, this is a romantic and heart felt genre, usually
performed by soloists or a harmony duo in the form of a ballad.
● Jazz: Jazz is extremely popular throughout the island, and Cuban jazz
Music Continued
Nueva trova: This politicized genre
arose after the Cuban Revolution
in 1959, and was made famous
for its folksy and emotionally
charged style.
Timba: A modern and faster-paced
version of Cuban son-derived
salsa that has become a
dominant sound in Cuba today. It
draws on African folk dances and
rhythms like rumba, but also rap
and reggae.
Afro Cuban Music on the Streets
Cuban Instruments
●
●
Popular: bongo, cajon conga, makuta,
timbales
More examples: Bata drum, botija,
marimbula, tres guitar
Habenera
-Habenera is the best example of
traditional Cuban music. As there
was no defined cultural influence
before the settling of the island,
traditional Cuban compositions
were written with in western
classical format.
- European in format, Cuban
composers such as George Bizet
broke ground in establishing a
never before heard mix of african
rhythms, spanish tone and
sweeping orchestral movements
in his Opera, “Carmen”.
Live Performance
Habenera Cont.
- Habanera is the popular name for it’s true title, “Love is a
Rebellious Bird”
- The piece popularly satirized the popular themes of love
during the Romantic period in a realistic tone that appealed
to the plight of the common man rather than a romanticized
character.
- Bizet wrote the piece with very exotic patterns in a
bouncing common time that was found irregular yet inviting
in the context of opera.
- The elements of Cuban musical style brought attention to
the rising cultural center that was the island country. This
allowed it to become a popular destination for music
connoisseurs and composers alike; composers such as...
George Gershwin (18981937)
● Born September 26th, 1898 in Brooklyn,
New York, George Gershwin began to play
piano at age 11.
● He eventually took interest in seeking out the
teachings of master musicains, including the
likes of Charles ambitzer and Henry Cowell.
● In his 23 year career, George never ceased
to expand his influences and musical tastes,
despite his early claim to fame.
An Island Vacation
●
In the summer and
autumn of 1931, George
had tirelessly composed a
total of 3 film scores, 2
operas, and 5 new
symphonic compositions.
●
When given the chance the following
winter, Gershwin gladly accepted an
offer to vacation in the Caribbean’s
largest island.
Continued…
●
●
In his visit, Gershwin was astounded
by the new and exotics rhythms and
sounds he was introduced to in
passing alone.
After 3 months in Cuba, Gershwin
returned to New York with newfound
inspiration.
The Cuban Overture
● In writing this exotic masterpiece,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_XMUvnT
Gershwin began with his
_aQ
incorporation of traditional Cuban
percussion voices such as
Congas, Maracas and Bongos.
● He experimented with multilayered rhythms and striking
instrumental juxtaposition, two
new concepts he had learned
from his stay in Cuba, to make
the work as authentic as he
could for New York audience.
Comparison
● The Cuban
Overture is
performed is in it’s
traditional
performance a
Symphony Piece.
● Habanera is an
Opera piece from
the 1800’s, before
the birth of Jazz
music, whose
influence is ever
present in
Gershwins work.
Similarities
●
●
Both pieces incorporate latin rhythm
and percussion as the defining
instrumentation of each piece; the
Habanera following a gallant 3/4 jaunt
while the overture follows a heavily
swung island pattern.
They are both performed with a
classical tone juxtaposed with their
respective Cuban influences.
Works Cited
- "George Gershwin Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks
Television, n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.biography.com/people/george-gershwin-9309643>.
- "Operetta Research Center Amsterdam." Operetta Research
Center Amsterdam. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2013.
<http://www.operetta-research-center.org/main.php?task=3>.
- What Music Is Cuba Famous For? | Insight Cuba. Publication.
Insight Cuba, n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2013.
<http://insightcuba.com/what-music-is-cuba-famous-for>.
- "AllMusic." AllMusic. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2013.
<http://www.allmusic.com/style/cuban-jazz-ma0000011930>.