[VIDEO DEAD] When a tune catches on, there's no telling where it might go. Centuries ago, catchy dance tunes often became fodder for purley instrumental compostions intended not as dance music, but music to listen to. That's what happened with the popular Renaissance dance tune "La folia," possibly of Portuguese origin, which over the centuries inspired any number of composers to write sets of instrumental variations on it. Antonio Vivaldi was among the composers captivated by the plaintive harmonies and steady, graceful rhythms of "La folia." He was so captivated, in fact, that he based his Trio Sonata in D minor, RV 63 on the tune. Vivaldi's Trio Sonata still makes for great listening, but can you dance to it? Well, yes. And we've got it on film. Baltic Baroque performs the work here on period instruments and in period dress, accompanying equally authentically clad dancers dancing presumably equally period-appropriate choreography. [youtube B_mP7PdpEdg 490 344] Enjoy! - Jennifer Hambrick
Jennifer Hambrick unites her extensive backgrounds in the arts and media and her deep roots in Columbus to bring inspiring music to central Ohio as Classical 101’s midday host. Jennifer performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago before earning a Ph.D. in musicology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.