Danza
Danza is a musical form created in Puerto Rico and is one of our
"Bailes de Salon" (Ballroom Dances). It flourished in the second part of the
19th century in the salons of elite, agricultural landowners (hacendados)
with cultural ties to Spain, and was later adopted by all, merchants and
peasants alike. In the early 1800s, popular classical dances such as the
Contradanza from Spain, as well as the Minuet, Cachucha, Waltz, Britano, and
Rigodon, were replaced around 1840 by new music arriving from Cuba called the
Habanera. The Habanera quickly became popular on the Island, especially
by the youth, because of its freer and less rigid dance form. In the early
days original Cuban Habaneras were enjoyed, but later Puerto Rican composers
including Manuel G. Tavarez, the "Father of Danza," began inventing their own
works, giving birth to a new a classical form with a hint of Afro-Carribean
syncopation. Tavarez most famous student, Juan Morel Campos, composed more
than 300 Danza masterpieces before he died at the young age of (almost) 39.
The national anthem of Puerto Rico, "La Borinquena," is a danza. When
Puerto Ricans think of Danza, they remember an elegant dance from days
gone by, ladies with fans and ballroom gowns, men in white tie-and-tails.
In those golden days, the orchestra would begin by leading dancers
in a "paseo," an elegant walk around the ballroom, giving gentlemen the
opportunity to show off their lady's grace and beauty. This romantic
introduction ended with a salute by the gentlemen and a curtsey from the
ladies in reply. Then, the orchestra would strike up and the couples
would dance freely around the ballroom to the rhythm of the music. In those
days, every lady and gentleman learned the language of the fan -- the
secret code that helped them attract the attention of the lady or
gentleman of their dreams!
References and Suggested Reading
- Cesareo Rosa-Nieves, "Voz Folklorica de Puerto Rico", Troutman Press 1967. [Book]
- Salvador Brau, "La Danza Puertorriquena", Ensayos Sobre La Danza
Puertorriquena, Instituto de Cultura Puertorriquena, San Juan PR, 1977. [Book]
For more information:
Dr. Ana María Tekina-eirú Maynard
Puerto Rican Cultural Center
Cultural Center Address: 701 Tillery Street #13, Austin TX 78702-3738 (Map & Directions)
Mailing Address: 15228 Quiet Pond Court, Austin TX 78728-4555
Phone: +1.512.251.8122
Email: dance@prfdance.org
Web: www.prfdance.org
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