The Art of Flamenco, Updated Edition by D.E., Pohren - 1990

UK: Society of Spanish Studies, 1990. Soft cover. Very Good/No Jacket. 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches. PREFACE "I have written this book in an attempt to cast a little light on the little-understood (and, more frequently, badly misunderstood) art of flamenco. To date flamenco has been the only internationally acclaimed art without so much as a basic English-language guide for its many enthu siasts. Until recently, little more has been available in Spanish This dearth of information has led to the general acceptance, both in and- out of Spain, of a cheap, commercial brand of flamenco only remotely similar to the authentic article. I have hopes that this book will help correct the situation. THE ART OF FLAMENCO arranged itself into four sections. The first, entitled «The Philosophy of Flamenco», consists of experiences and brief essays intended to help the reader to some sort of understanding of the creators and perpetuators of flamenco - the flamencos themselves. The next three sections get into the meat of the subject, and cover all but the most advanced or specialized facets of flamenco, upon which I intend to elaborate in future works. Parts of the second section will seem painfully haste to the initiated aficionado, particularly portions of the section entitled «What is fla menco?» Bear in mind that the book is designed for readers ranging from the neophyte, who still vaguely knows flamenco as «flamingo», to the most advanced aficionado. Throughout this book the reader will find constant reference to two basic poles of flamenco, the authentic-traditional and the popular-com mercial. The main difference between these opposite poles lies in the types of innovations and creations that make them up; those of the authentic-traditional school always fall within certain well-defined hounds of good flamenco; those of the popular-commercial school arc nearly always catchy and worthless, eagerly accepted by the popular public, and then quickly forgotten. In other words, the authentic-traditional flamenco has lasting value, the popular-commercial little to no value." ....