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 The
Danzon,
Cuba's national dance for more than a century, was born as an instrumental
music style that emerged out of the blend of classical European
and Afro-Cuban music forms.
The European element in the origin of the danzon, can be traced
to the French Contredanse of the 18th century which in turn evolved
from the English 17th century country-dance.
This European ingredient was quickly assimilated by Cuban musicians,
composers and dancers as well. All of a sudden, this new music spread
over the entire island and was danced in both; - simple dance halls
and exclusive clubs and "salones". After the "cubanization",
la Contradanza was written and played in a quick 2\4 or 6\8 tempo.
World-wide recognized is Manuel
Saumell (Habana, 1817- 1870), the most outstanding composer of
this new style in the Caribbean area. He is also recognized as "the
father of the Cuban contradanza".
The so-called contradanza, of European origin arrived in Cuba by three
different routes; - firstly, through a direct link with the metropolis
courts, secondly by means of the English vessels which had seized
part of Havana and the eastern part of the island, and thirdly, through
the French elements.
The orchestras which interpreted contradanzas were called "orquestas
tipicas" and usually consisted of 2 clarinets, 2 violins, double
bass, cornet or trumpet, trombone, bassoon or tuba, the creole timpani
or timbalitos and guiro.
La contradanza, on its way towards becoming el danzon, became la danza,
la danza habanera and then simply the famous Habanera,
which still exists and growing in popularity at the festival held
every year during the month of November in Havana, parallel to the
celebrations of "the city anniversary". The Eduardo Sánchez
de Fuentes`s habanera ''Tú'',
written in 1892, is very famous nowadays.
The word danzon, which can be understood as "something like an
elaborated dance", was first fused in Matanzas, "The Athens
of Cuba" in 1856. After a few years, in 1879, with his second
version of "Las
Alturas de Simpson", composer and cornet player Miguel Failde
(Matanzas, 23/12/1852- 26/12/1921), constituted the first official
danzon, in the form of a triple rondo.
Its form consists of an introduction, a clarinet solo affair, a repeated
introduction, and then a brass trio. Naturally, this ensemble corresponds
with the wind orchestra, completed with cornet, trombone, figle, two
clarinets, two violins, double bass, the Cuban timbales, a small version
of the timpani, and the guiro.
Danzon became Cuba's national dance form, and represented a logical,
evolutionary phenomenon, a synthesis of its antecedents, giving rise
to a superior sound.
Version of Toni Basanta`s article ''A new track for danzon players
and dancers
Where does the danzon go ????.''
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