Classical Tradition among Spanish and Brazilian Singer-Songwriters: Condemnation and Social Criticism

Abstract

This paper deals with political and social uses of the Classical referents in contemporary popular music, in particular, among singers and songwriters from Spain and Brazil. Therefore, this article pertains to the field of the study of Classical reception in contemporary music. The analysis of the songs attempts to identify the mechanisms employed by the artists in order to allude to the past and to update it. This makes of the songs an instrument of condemnation for contemporary issues. Additionally, we consider the double character of these songs ―both artistic and popular― and their blending of elements from Classical tradition with popular and contemporary references.