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...starting this thread by transplanting 5 earlier posts I originally shared under another topic heading.
- Emily
(OP January 15, 2021)
I've mentioned Galicia's strong Celtic roots in other threads. The language is galego, a precursor to Portuguese, but they are in Spain.
You'd recognize many of the tunes as similar to traditional Irish and Scottish. Some of their music evolves from the additional influence of Spain and further south, Morrocco.
I found a wonderful group, "Luar Na Lubre" - they perform unique music besides many common Celtic tunes.
Here's one of their mesmerizing, evolved tunes I think anyone could learn by ear & enjoy playing. I can't tell if it's about a Miller's wife or not(?)
"La molinera" (on my list!). Check out their YouTube site for other tunes.
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(OP August 13, 2012)
Stopped in at thesession.org and happened upon something pretty special there!
Jean posted that he recommended using some Galician tunes in sessions (I think it's a great idea, of course). He didn't take his fiddle, but recorded a series of videos played on a ukulele (tuned GDAE), while on a trip to Galicia.
There are Celtic roots in Galicia, but I was very excited to find these tunes have a nice feeling of the surrounding area (Portugal & Spain)!
Here's the YouTube video playlist:
For more info at The Session:
Galician Tunes for Irish Sessions
Jean also plays the Violin and several additional instruments - find his other music at his YouTube site (vor sonnenaufgang), link from the playlist.
He plays some very beautiful little tunes!
...haven't decided just how many to learn, yet. 🤔
- Emily
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(OP August 20, 2021)
💖 Tunes in minor keys - just wanted to share another great one, on my list to learn!
"O Son do Ar" is a waltz in Dm by Bieito Romero, of the Galician band "Luar Na Lubre". Here's a Live performance (luarnalubregaliza).
Think there's 1 or 2 tunes played afterwards, but don't know what they are.
O Son do Ar - Luar Na Lubre
Rolling sheet music video arranged by Isabel de la Puente - in the original key of Dm. Also available at musescore.com
O Son do Ar - Sheet Music (Dm)
The Session has a version of sheet music in Em.
O Son do Ar - Sheet Music (Em)
Here's a little Video Tutorial from Adela la del violin, that might help out.
O Son do Ar - Tutorial (Em)
...I've been playing this tune - LOVE IT!
- Emily
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(OP June 14, 2023)
It's been a terribly long time since I added anything here... and I do still play "O Son do Ar" every once in a while - it's a lovely tune & not hard to learn!
More surprises from Luar Na Lubre:
"O son das augas", composed by Bieito Romero - feels like a medley to me (?)
Sorry, no sheet music for these at The Session (today is a good day to start learning by ear), but while I was looking around I found another really nice tune in 3/4, D Major (sheet music & midi) worth looking at there - "A Costa De Galicia"!
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(OP June 15, 2023)
So, found a few other well known groups in Galicia (playing traditional & original folk music).
'Berrogüetto' is one, formed in 1995.
They sneak in a little swing in this tune, "Igneominea" - I really like the Fiddler. There is a nice live video, but the sound wasn't good, so sharing this one.
Feel it?
I have a lot more music to explore down the road... this starts a sampling of a unique sound coming out of this area of the World.
BUT, feeling some 'celtic' roots IS ONLY A PART OF WHAT CAN BE FOUND IN THE MUSIC OF THIS AREA OF SPAIN!
ALL the music either has, or can be, played on the Violin, Viola & Cello!
🤔... I'm excited that there was originally 3700 views of these 1st five posts, but I would really appreciate some thoughts/comments once in a while!
- Emily
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There's some interesting history behind the Music of Galicia, Cantabria & Asturias! The area was only occupied by the Moors for a short period, but you'll hear some influence in the music because it was spread by troubadours in the Middle Ages. (@stringy - glad you talked a little about this, Thugamar Fein An samhradh Linn Thread)
I've been listening to some great music from a few new (to me) groups in Galicia and Asturias!
The music of the area usually features at least one fiddler, but the gaita (bagpipes & recorder-type instruments) are very important. I don't really notice Irish or Scottish bagpipe-type ornaments used, and the history of bagpipe use in the area goes way back before the Middle Ages!
Os Coribantes de Buchabade - playing their own twist on music from around the Galician area, they've really sparked my interest in the muiñeira!
The muiñeira is a traditional dance and musical genre of Galicia and some parts of Asturias (Spain). It is distinguished mainly by its expressive and lively tempo, played usually in 6/8, although some variants are performed in other time signatures. There are also variant types of muiñeira which remain in the tempo of 6/8, but which displace the accent in different ways.
There are MANY 'muñeira' - just like there are many Irish jigs, both are in 6/8 but NOT the same rhythm! Try to remember about the rhythm if you'd like to play any of the "muiñeira" notated at The Session.
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I love playing Irish jigs, but Muiñeira are refreshing - nice to find other folk music in 6/8 that's different!
Muiñeira de Chantada - play-along!
MUIÑEIRAS at Folkoteca Galega
- pdf's and midi playback, transposing feature, too!
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I love that many of these tunes are fairly simple to learn - GREAT for beginners, but there's room to dress them up, too.
...a few more tunes from Os Coribantes de Buchabade that I like:
Foliada de Berducido
Notation & midi playback here at Folkoteca Galega - Foliada de Berducido
Canteiros
I HAVE TO SHARE THIS ONE from Os Coribantes de Buchabade! Piper's Band Forever - reminds me of the Celtic/Indian fusion in the Bhangra Dance & Music - Addictive Rhythm! Thread. HAS to put a smile on your face! 😊 So, consider playing tunes against different rhythms.
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I've been searching thru some of the other tunes - from the HUGE collection at Folkoteca Galega. Have to say, I'm partial to 6/8, so I do love most of the 'Muiñeiras' - BUT THERE IS SO MUCH MORE!
Alalás are important part of Galician music history! ALL would sound fabulous on Violin, Viola, or Cello!
“Alalás” are arhythmic, and based on a single, short theme that repeats the melody, separated by instrumental bagpipes or a cappella interludes. Melodies are based on a continuous drone and are almost always diatonic. (The Flavor of Spain - Music of Galicia)
Alalás - the ancestral music of Galicia (mustrad.org)
Alalás are the oldest, purest and most characteristic musical forms of Galician traditional music. Forgotten for centuries, and preserved only by popular wisdom, its treasure was recovered by poets and musicians of the romantic age.
The alalás are the song of a mother for her child, or for the men that laboured at the countryside, the expression of happiness or love of the youngsters, and the sorrow and poverty of Galician rural society, the death or the emigration of the beloved people, and, overall, the nostalgic sentiment of morriña, that we feel when we are kept away from all we love.
Galician people sung alalás for centuries, till Galician identity was almost destroyed by Spanish influence.
I believe genre immersion helps us get the feel of the music & relate to other Cultures. This 2 hour video is a great way to fast track the experience! It's the 10-year anniversary celebration of 'Televisión de Galicia' - documentary of Alalás. No English translation, but the music speaks for itself!
In these years, the Alalá program recorded traditional music located in its real, rural context, and the different expressions that were produced throughout the cycles of the year. The transformation of life in the village by mechanization and modernization and by abandonment and migration to the cities, mean that all of this is disappearing, becoming a vestige.
More Galician trad music videos on the Alalá TVG Channel (YT).
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Think I forgot to mention - Quin Farinha was Berrogüetto's fiddler.
Here's an Alalá performed by Berrogüetto - 'Deneb'!
I spent part of today checking out other Spanish folk dancing. Found 'Jota' are choreographed, highly animated (bouncy!) - danced with castanets.
The jota tends to have a 3/4 rhythm, although some authors maintain that the 6/8 is better adapted to the poetic and choreographic structure.
THIS is just too cool, "Jota para Ourense" - by student group 'Jota Venom'!
Saw some crazy traditional stilt dancing... twirling as they 'danced' down stairs! 😬
Probably the best thing I found today was a new (to me) Galician band I absolutely LOVE - Obal! ...only their music sounds really Breton/Balfolk, for those types of dances. I rather talk more about their music in that context. I could only find music to their 1st album, not their 2nd - Baile en Massó Playlist (Obal) Every track is fabulous (I'm going to start with learning the mazurkas)!
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