History Music of Galicia, Cantabria and Asturias

galician gaiteiros

it has long been thought galician , asturian music might owe roots ancient celtic history of region, in presumed of ancient influence had survived despite long evolution of local musical traditions since then, including centuries of roman , germanic influences. whether or not case, modern commercial galician , asturian traditional , folk-rock of recent years has become influenced modern irish, scottish , welsh folk styles. galicia nowadays strong player on international celtic folk scene. result, elements of pre-industrial galician tradition have become integrated modern celtic folk repertoire , style. many, however, claim celtic appellation merely marketing tag; known galician bagpipe player susana seivane, said think [the celtic moniker is] label, in order sell more. make galician music . in case, due celtic brand, galician music non- castilian-speaking music of spain has significant audience beyond country s borders. galicians , asturians have complained celtic boom final death blow once highly distinctive musical traditions.

celtic culture known have extended on large part of iberian peninsula 600bc. during 2nd , 1st centuries bc, roman empire conquered iberia, called hispania. celtic regions put long , fierce struggle maintain independence subdued. in centuries followed, language of romans, latin, came gradually supplant earlier languages of peninsula, including celtic languages, , ancestor of current languages of spain , portugal, including galician , astur-leonese-mirandese not basque. departure of romans in 5th century led invasions of germanic tribes. suebi people conquered northwest poor documentation period has left cultural impact on region unclear. in 6th century, final small celtic influx arrived britain; britons granted own diocese, britonia, in northern galicia. galicia taken on visigothic kingdom when suebian kingdom fell apart. galicia came under control of moors after defeated visigoths in 717 moorish rule little more short lived military occupation, although indirect moorish musical influence arrived later, through christian troubadours. moorish rule ended after 2 decades when garrison driven out rebellion in 739. region incorporated kingdom of asturias and, after surviving assaults of moors , vikings, became springboard reconquista.

in 810, claimed remains of saint james, 1 of apostles, had been found @ site became known santiago de compostela. became europe s premier pilgrimage destination in middle ages. assumed have had significant effect on folk culture of area, pilgrims brought them musical instruments , styles far afield scandinavia , hungary.

like earlier periods, little known musical traditions era. few manuscripts time known, such 13th-century poet , musician martín codax, indicate of distinctive elements of today s music, such bagpipes , flutes, common @ time. cantigas de santa maria, collection of manuscripts written in old galician, show illustrations of people playing bagpipes.