Folias Festivas

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.

Folk and Court:
Music from East and West

Belladonna is joined by Beijing-trained pipa virtuoso Gao Hong to perform courtly entertainments, folk songs and dances of two continents. Rarely heard early music of China and Europe comes alive in this fascinating and colorful blend of traditions. The combination of the Chinese lute -- a powerful instrument with a huge expressive range -- and the animated virtuosity of Belladonna, creates an irresistible alliance that delights audiences. Works performed are by Byrd, van Eyck, Schmelzer, Falconieri, Locke, Playford and Uccellini and anonymous Chinese composers.

Earth and Sky:
Grounded Music and Celestial Fantasies

Seventeenth century musicians delighted their audiences by writing music both predictable and unexpected, both stable and fluid. In the former, pieces such as grounds, with their repeating bass lines rely on regularity for their structure. In the latter, sonatas and preludes are products of the most free and unrestrained manner of composition. Belladonna performs works by Castello, Cabanilles, Schmelzer, Destouches, Sances, Becker and Merula, contain these contrasting qualities, often within a single piece.

The Italian Influence on a German Musical Mosaic

From Rosenmuller to Bach, German composers of the 17th century were especially receptive to outside influences, especially those of the new compositional style that had been developing in Italy. In this program of 17th and 18th century German composers, Belladonna performs works that display the wide stylistic diversity that resulted from the Germans willingness and eagerness to adopt the styles and techniques of their southern neighbors. Composers include Bach, Rosenmuller, Strungk, Krieger, Telemann, Schmelzer.