The excellent Tafelmusik performs Sonata in D Minor, Op.1, No.12, “La Follia” by Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741). Performer: Elisa Citterio (violin) Cristina Zacharias (violin), Keiran Campbell (cello), Charlotte Nediger (harpsichord), Lucas Harris (lute). This comes via their wonderful YouTube channel. La Follia theme is one of the most popular themes in music. I have two arrangements of the theme on the site, one by Sanz and one by Giuliani. Enjoy this performance with a filled out sound of lute and harpsichord along with the strings.
In this video, watch a performance of Vivaldi’s Sonata in D Minor, op. 1, no. 12 “La Follia”, as performed by Tafelmusik. Antonio Vivaldi’s first publication, Opus 1, was printed in 1705, not only in Venice, but also in Amsterdam and Paris, and quickly established Vivaldi’s reputation as both a virtuoso violinist and as an exciting new composer throughout Europe. Consisting of twelve trio sonatas for two violins and continuo, the most popular sonata was the set of 20 variations on the “follia”, a bass line of Spanish origin popular with baroque composers throughout Europe. Corelli had set a high standard for “follia” variations in his famous set for solo violin and continuo, published five years earlier in Rome. Vivaldi added a second violin and succeeded in matching Corelli in both virtuosity and expression.
This performance was originally recorded as part of Tafelmusik’s concert On the Road: conceived of as a virtual “road trip”, and featuring music from the theatres of London and the courts of Germany, to the refined elegance of Paris, and the shimmering beauty of Venice.
Is that a theorbo?
Yes it is!