Folia is one of the oldest European musical themes, an obsessive rhythm that is likely going to haunt you for some days. Below there are 4 versions, all of them performed by Jordi Savall and his orchestra. Enjoy!
Arcangelo Corelli – Sonata 12, Opus 5. (bonus some Diego Velázquez paintings)
Antonio Vivaldi – Sonata No. 12 in D minor “La Follia”, RV 63, Op. 1.
Marin Marais – Folies d’Espagne, Pièces de viole for 1 and 2 viols, Book II.
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Truly beautiful music. I am a great fan.
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Thank you!
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Also Henry Purcell in Dido & Aeneas — but there ought to have been a song that theme came from, shouldn’t there have been(?) There was, but it’s lost? Or was this theme just played at wild Spanish parties until it caught on elsewhere?
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All I know is that it’s an old musical theme that can be found in several countries and appears in many musical works of many composers. It’s a typical rhythm and when you hear it, you know it’s a follia. Same happens when you hear a fandango for instance; you recognise it if you previously heard it.
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