CUBAN
SON
“UN
TOUQUE DE BEMBE”
Sierra Maestra
Cuba
Tres, Guitar, Trumpet,
Bongo, Congas, Guiro, Maracas, Marimbula, (Electric Bass Guitar) Voice
Sierra Maestra is a mountain
range found on the southeastern part of the island of Cuba and the Cuban Son
band named after these historic mountains have committed themselves to preserving
this musical style and re-introducing it to the world. They were the first
group and remain the best to play in the old-style by using the tres, guitar,
trumpet, bongo, guiro, marimbula and vocals. The addition of extra percussion (congas
and maracas) and replacing the marimbula with the electric bass is an example
of absolute authenticity not being possible because of not utilizing the original
instrumentation of the music. As heard in this piece the change in rhythms and
tempos displays integration of other cultural influences and another example of
a loss of absolute authenticity. The effort of this group to preserve and
re-introduce this musical culture is authenticity as a continuum. One of Cuba's
great musical secrets is now out!
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ReplyDeleteGood post about the piece, but you needed more explicit reflection on Koops’ models. You mention authenticity as a continuum, but more discussion is needed.
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