CUBAN MUSIC
More than 500 years ago, Cuban Tainos, indigenous people who lived in Cuba, used maracas and guiro, among the musical instruments of areito (music and dance ceremony), which today provide the distinctive percussion that characterizes many sounds and mixes of Cuban music.
Cuba has developed a wide range of creoles musical styles, on the basis of our cultural origins in Europe and Africa. Since the nineteenth century our music has been very popular and influential around the world. Has perhaps been the most popular form of music in the world since the introduction of recording technology.
Cuban music, including instruments and dances, is mostly from Europe (Spain) and African origin. Most forms today are fusions and mixtures of these two great sources. Almost nothing remains of the Indian traditions, except maracas and guiros and some places' names.
Not much is known about the popular music of Cuba before the year 1800. Manuel Saumell (born 1817) wrote some piano pieces of dance that paved the way for the concert of classical music in Cuba. Some notable Cuban composers of the twentieth century classics include composer Ernesto Lecuona (born 1896), Argeliers Leon (born 1918), who was also an ethnomusicologist, Aurelio de la Vega (born 1925) and many others.
Today, Cuban popular music and dance styles are salsa, son, rumba, mambo and cha-cha-cha, among others. The instruments used are the claves, maracas, guiro, piano and guitars, as well as various drums, including bongos.
copyright 2009
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