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Cobla

This article will address the topic of Cobla, which has generated interest and debate in different areas of society. Cobla has captured the attention of researchers, experts, and even the common citizen, due to its relevance and impact on various aspects of daily life. Over the years, Cobla has been the subject of analysis, discussion and reflection, giving rise to a variety of opinions and perspectives on this topic. In this sense, it is of great importance to deepen the knowledge and understanding of Cobla, with the aim of enriching the debate and promoting a comprehensive and critical vision in this regard. Therefore, along the following lines different dimensions of Cobla will be explored, with the purpose of offering a complete and objective look at this topic of relevance to today's society.
For the Old Occitan literary genre, see cobla esparsa.
"Cobla Baix Llobregat" playing in front of the Palau de la Generalitat in Barcelona

The cobla (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈkobːlə], plural cobles) is a traditional music ensemble of Catalonia, and in Northern Catalonia in France. It is generally used to accompany the sardana, a traditional Catalan folk dance, danced in a circle.

Structure

The modern Cobla normally consists of 11 players with the following instruments:

  • One flabiol, a type of fipple flute played with the left hand while a tamborí, a small drum attached to the left arm of the player, is played with the other hand.
  • Four Catalan shawms – double-reed woodwinds
    • Two tibles – a tible is like an oboe, but with a louder sound
    • Two tenores – a tenora is a larger version of the tible
  • Five brass instruments
  • A string bass – originally and still often a three-string double bass

There are small variations to this instrumentation in contemporary coblas: for example there is sometimes a third trumpet player.

The playing formation has two rows. The front row has (as seen by the audience from left to right) the flabiolist (with pipe and drum), the second and first tibles, and the first and second tenores. The back row, often raised, has the second and first trumpets, the trombone, and the first and second fiscorns. The double bass player, often standing, is on the right of the band.

History

Cobla Principal de Llobregat playing in Céret (2013)

Originally, the cobla was a 3-piece band:

  • One person played the flabiol and drum
  • The second person played the tible
  • The third played bagpipes

The main instrument in the cobla, the tenora, was developed around 1850 by French-Catalan luthier Andreu Toron, in Perpignan/Perpinyà.

The modern 11-piece cobla was developed by the Catalan musician Josep Maria "Pep" Ventura. He wrote over 200 Sardana compositions.

See also

External links

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia