Chilean Music

 Music Around the World - Chile

Another area of Music that I would like to focus on during this blog and bring attention to readers is the different Music that we have the around the World. It's good to be aware of international Music and how it differs with each country. At least once a month I will create a blog that has information on Music from different country's around the world. Tell me in the comments section if there are any particular country's that you'd like me to research into and write about!

So without further ado here is the first blog post on Music from Chile.

Quick Fact File:

Location: South America

Population: 18 million people

Capital: Santiago

Language: Spanish

Music from Chile (Chilean music) is closely related to its history and geography. The landscape, climate and lifestyle have a deep impact on cultural traditions and they vary greatly from north to south.

Nineteenth Century:

Music gradually began to include a national identity as the colonial period ended. Most of the leading musicians came from abroad with a wave of professional musicians coming to Chile in 1823 - Bartolome Filomeno, Jose Bernardo Alzedo. Isidora contributed immensely in the development of Chilean music as she helped found both the first National Conservatory of Music and the Academy of Music (1852). At the end of the nineteenth century, musical clubs and other private organisations began to increase in cities. 

Twentieth Century:

Chile had established its own musical scene by now but the national identity had struggled to assert itself when European styles were still highly dominant. From 1900, music began to take a more central place in society. Fonografia Aristica (first Chilean Recording label) emerged producing both cylinders and discs. The orchestral Society of Chile (1912) was created and performed the nine symphonies of Beethoven. More recently in the 1990s, Chile reconnected with the world and trends from Europe and the USA became part of Chile’s popular culture. 

Chilean Folk Music:

NORTH → Highly influenced by Andean music and by the Quechua, Aymara, Atacama and other cultures. Spanish colonial military bands and the catholic Church were also influential . Some traditional musical instruments were brought by the Spanish while others were inherited from the native peoples. Northern Chile Music instruments include the Quena (traditional flutes), Charango (small Andean stringed instrument of the lute family), Ocarina (clay instruments with 8-9 holes), Bombo Nortino (Northern bass drum) and Zampona (Andean panpipe).

                                            (Charango)                                                                 (Quena)

CENTRAL → Closely linked to rural life and spanish heritage. The most popular instruments are the accordion, guitar, harp, tambourine and the tormento (similar to a xylophone). The Cueca has been considered as the most traditional music and dance of Chile, first appearing in 1824 and since 1979 is the official national dance. It is written in a combination of 6/8 and ¾ and has a rigid structure divided into three sections. Tonada is another important form of Chilean traditional song from Spanish settlers. It is distinguished by an intermediate melodic section and a more prominent general. Central Chile Music instruments include acoustic guitar, a Paraguayan harp and a Pandera (tambourine).

SOUTH → Main feature of Southern music is its vitality (apparent in dances of agile and lively pace). Typical music and dances include Pericona (danced by two loose couples, handkerchiefs in hands), El Costillar (festive and competitive dance where couples loosely dance around a bottle), La Trastrasera (movements follow the songs lyrics), El Chapecao (begins with a guitar playing solo and the couples move around, when the guitar stops the dancers stop), El Pavo (partner dance) and Vals Chilote (Chilote Waltz). The main instruments include the Rebec (small violin), Ratchet, Accordion and Violin.

Popular Music:

ROCK & ROLL → First produced in Chile in late 1950s by bands that imitated and were inspired by the US. This movement was known as the Nueva Ola (New Wave). In the 1970s, the country’s rock scene declined due to political repression and instead the 1980s saw the beginning of a revival of rock music. Some of the most successful Chilean rock bands are: Los Prisioneros, Lucybell, La Ley, Buddy Richard and Chanco en Piedra

HIP HOP & RAP → Hip hop music have had a considerable influence on Chilean music. The genre was first seen through TV and radio with Breakdance and Breakers groups gaining popularity. The return of immigrants after the end of the dictatorship could have been a factor that increased popularity of hip hop and rap. During the 2000s, some bands connected hip hop with other styles like dancehall, reggae and Latin rhythms as well as political rap becoming popular. 

CHILEAN ELECTRONIC MUSIC → Electronic Music movement became popular in the 1990s. Electronica gave Chile more international success than any other styles of music. Chilean DJs and electronic music producers became important and based in Europe (in particular Germany). Some of the most important and best known electronic music artists include Ricardo villalobos, Andres Bucci and Jorge Gonzalez.

CHILEAN CUMBIA → Origins in the Caribbean climates of Colombia, Venezuela and Panama and was introduced to Chile in mid 1960s. Sonora Palacious brought Cumbia to mass popularity among the Chilean population. Chilean Cumbia added brass instruments, piano and a faster percussion to the original cumbia style. It is highly influenced by rock and some hip hop groups.