Bookmarking
I’ve been exploring this fascinating site dedicated to "La Folia," a 16th-century dance tune that half the composers of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries borrowed and used for variations (Corelli, Scarlatti, Vivaldi, and Bach, to name a few) — as well as, surprisingly, quite a few recent composers as well. In addition to the tons and tons of sound files and composer listings, you can also find an animated map of the La Folia diaspora. Neato. (If my imaginary early-music consort ever becomes a reality, I think a program of La Folia variations would be interesting to arrange.)
Also, gfhandel.org. Among the highlights: an interesting essay on opera seria and rhetoric. When I read this, I had a sudden, gleeful vision of hauling my CD player into my writing classes and subjecting my students to a sampling of Handel’s showier arias. "See, class? We got your logos, ethos, and pathos right here!"
Hi! I’ve been enjoying your blog for some time now. I must surface in response to La Folia. I love that tune! One of my favorite set of variations is on the viola da gamba (wh. I play, incidentally) in the movie “Tout Les Matins du Monde” (about a gambist, Marin Marais, among other things).
You play viola da gamba? That’s so cool. [goes green with envy, adds “Tous les Matins du Monde” to the to-rent list…]
>[…] I think a program of La Folia variations would be interesting to arrange.
Please let me know all about it so I can list it properly at the Folia-site when the time comes.
La Folia, a musical cathedral (1672-2004).
Alas, I’m not really a musician, so the imaginary early-music consort is more a matter of “wouldn’t it be fun if…” than actual planning. But, yes, should it ever really happen, I’ll certainly let you know!