Danzón!!!
So, this time we leave the shores of Europe, and embark on a voyage to the new world. Entering the Gulf of Mexico, and following in the footsteps of Hernan Cortes (1519), we find ourselves in the Land of Mexico.
The danzón style of music was born in Cuba, and almost simultaneous with that birth found a home in Veracruz, Mexico. Veracruz is the port most favoured of you wish to travel from Mexico to Cuba from there it has spread across Mexico and forms part of the Urban, dance culture of the region.
The Danzón, has much in common with the Tango born in southern Latin America from similar roots. Both feature a sensual rhythm that supports the musical frame. In the case of danzón, the music is heavily influenced by African motifs. As the music has developed these influences have become stronger.
Similar in structure to the Tango, the danzón style starts out in a formal, almost rigid mode. The sensual undertones to the music are framed by this formal setting. As the piece develops the rigidity relaxes and the sultry undertones break forth to envelope the music. As part of the style, the music forms verses, separated by instrumental solos. Finally rising to a crescendo before relaxing back into an expanded frame. Within the music there is a melancholy, a longing that gives way to the passion that is driven by the African inspired rhythms. This longing reasserts itself as the music recedes from it's climax.
The danzón is popular throughout Mexico, but has it's roots on the Gulf coast, particularly Veracruz, where bands and dance salons have grown up around it. The work presented is danzón No. 2 by Arturo Márquez. His first work in the series, danzón No. 1, was written in 1992. After being persuaded by the dancer Irene Martinez, and the painter Andrés Fonseca. The second, danzón No. 2 was written for full orchestra. Subsequent works have been written around different ensembles.
Danzón No. 2 is performed here by the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.
As an encore, the Simon Bolivar youth Orchestra of Venezuela with Gustavo Dudamel leading them in a lively performance of Mambo, written by Leonard Bernstein for West Side Story.