From the boisterous street festivals of fifteenth-century Portugal to the refined entertainments of royal European courts, folias carried the spontaneous energy of popular music into the world of art music. These irresistible pieces emboldened seventeenth century composers to create exuberant and playful compositions of their own. Selections include folias from Spain, Italy and France along with pieces built upon other ground-bass dances and those that incorporate dance rhythms in the structure. Included are pieces by Falconieri, Merula, Tafalla. Ortiz, Selma and Marais.

“…waves of energy”