Ma Follia

VicDiesel

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Description

"La Follia" is a chord progression (Gm D Gm F Bb F Gm-D Gm) that lots of composers have written variations on. I've decided to join them.

This version is played by me on 7 different sizes of recorder. It starts out as a quartet of 2 altos, tenor, bass, but pretty quickly it goes up to 10 parts, becoming 12 in the last line. They span from a "gar klein", which is half the size of the ordinary soprano, through a bass, which is about 3 feet long. I had to fake a great bass part; the great bass is 4 times the size of a soprano, but I don't own one of those.

I'd love to hear this live some time.....

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Song Stats

Hits: 2760
Comments: 61
Fans: 24
Plays: 336
Downloads: 86
Votes: 28
Uploaded: Oct 08, 2006 - 01:26:29 AM
Last Updated: Oct 08, 2006 - 03:57:18 PM Last Played: Nov 27, 2009 - 12:48:27 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-ShareAlike

Song Actions

Keywords:

recorder (15), flute (147), renaissance (24), variations (15)

Hardware:

Recorders by Kueng (4 different ones), Moeck, Yamaha, Hopf;
Rhode microphone

Software:

Logic Pro with a couple of modest effects. Elemental Audio Firium rocks!

Comments

Feter	Feter said 1147 days ago (October 8th, 2006)
	Here s a BOW !! this is a master piece VicDiesel .this scale is what most of my compositions based on .. yours so progressive so powerfull this is indeed a song ai faved ,rates and downloaded .. so happy to hear someone compose like this here .. a real BOW here ..!! Check out my latest song called A Night With Feter feat'(Roxylee sloparts crissew johnwhitehead and Yamin AL Yamani )

RickW	RickW said 1147 days ago (October 8th, 2006)
	A chamber of recorders I've never heard a chamber of recorders before. What a wonderful sound! Well done! God bless, Rick Check out my latest song called Picture of Perfection (MJRF)

kristyjo

kristyjo said 1147 days ago (October 8th, 2006)

Very nice variations
I used to belong to an early music group, and this was a staple.
Lots of time and work invested here, I can tell. I liked the way your
variations did that key change thing - was that your playing, or did you
use some effects for that? Also that rhythmic variation adds a modern
touch.

Good recording on the recorders:) - that is, you got good clean sound
and a minimum of excess noise.

Check out my latest song called What a Friend We Have in Jesus

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 1147 days ago (October 8th, 2006)
	contemporary follia Well, if you've played La Follia you know that there is usually a chord change to major. I took that idea, and then just ran with it; stuck some extra modulations in. And they are definitely all played live -- in such un-recorderish keys as B flat minor..... Thanks for commenting. This was fun to do. Victor. Check out my latest song called Desert Stars

composerclark

composerclark said 1146 days ago (October 8th, 2006)

Stunning!
Quite spectacular! The fact that you're playing all the recorder parts is very impressive, and you play very well. The variations are good/interesting/well-done, but I would have enjoyed hearing many more. Your mode change to major had some funky harmonies in there, creating a really interesting sense of suddenly being catapaulted forward a few centuries. Excellent job here.

Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 1146 days ago (October 8th, 2006)
	Too short indeed I agree that this piece could have been longer. If you actually look up the La Follia progression you'll see that I'm only giving you half of each variation. However, this tune was written for a different purpose, and it had to stay under 2 minutes. I'll do an expanded version later. Thanks for the kind words. Check out my latest song called Desert Stars

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 1146 days ago (October 8th, 2006)
	PS The funky harmonies were a real challenge to write polyphonic lines under, rather than just chord notes. That passage is the first time that the ensemble uses all 10 voices. Those couple measures cost me more head scratching than the rest of the piece together. Check out my latest song called Desert Stars

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 1146 days ago (October 8th, 2006)
	cool idea i'll admit i don't listen to classic all that much. but, when i saw it was with recorders! well i thought this has to be interesting. sure enough you did a cool job, a fun listen. Check out my latest song called November

Magritte	Magritte said 1146 days ago (October 8th, 2006)
	Wonderfully played. I love this kind of music, especially when it goes from the predictable Renaissance sound to something much more modern...and back. Might I suggest bringing up the bass just a tad? The altos overpower the harmonies in a few places. Otherwise it is really charming! Check out my latest song called Tango Macabre

Joanna	Joanna said 1146 days ago (October 8th, 2006)
	Wow That was flat out cool! I saw your post in the forum and had to come listen because I wanted to hear what you did with just recorders. Amazing. I don't know any of the technical stuff, but my ears know good music when I hear it and that was really lovely. Your performance and composition were great! Check out my latest song called Nellie G.

	said 1146 days ago (October 8th, 2006)
	beautifull I could only wish to make something that great

	said 1146 days ago (October 8th, 2006)
	beautifull I could only wish to make something that great

Schello	Schello said 1146 days ago (October 8th, 2006)
	,-) YUM..exxxcelent! Check out my latest song called Snozz'en (Cronik Mix)

Hectorious	Hectorious said 1146 days ago (October 8th, 2006)
	Just amazing!!!! 10's Check out my latest song called Short Circuit (Sample)

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 1146 days ago (October 8th, 2006)
	Thanks Thanks, man! Check out my latest song called Desert Stars

jiguma

jiguma said 1146 days ago (October 8th, 2006)

Good stuff
I've always had a special place in my heart for the recorder - it's the
first instrument I "learnt", and I used a variation (Irish tin whistle) to lull
(?) my daughter to sleep when we lived for a year in the north of
England. Frankly, I've wondered why someone hasn't thought of this
before on MJ - it seems such a logical thing to do with the recording
facilities many of us have (then not everyone has a bass recorder!).
Loved the rich tones you got on this and the simple yet highly effective
melodies and harmonies.
Very nice Vic!!
Neil

Check out my latest song called Signs of Life

VicDiesel

VicDiesel said 1146 days ago (October 8th, 2006)

First instrument
The recorder is the first instrument for quite a few people, and unfortunately
that's where it gets its reputation as an instrument for the torture of little
children. Also the reputation of sounding ugly and being primitive. All
completely undeserved. I'm glad to hear that there are people like you who still
like it. And others, hey listen to this track, and maybe change your mind....

Check out my latest song called Desert Stars

said 1146 days ago (October 8th, 2006)

This is magnificent!
As a former student of the clarinet who now dabbles in the realm of
the recorder... this is (as I already said) magnificent. I am really
impressed. I have immediately (before the song was even finished)
downloaded this. I had no idea. Vic D... my hat is off to you. I haven't
read any of the other comments, but I am sure there must be some
similar posts. Simply a perfect take on the above chord progression.

cheers and kudos...

drakonis

drakonis said 1146 days ago (October 9th, 2006)

let me compose myself...
Wow, this is very very nicely written and performed! A beautiful choice of
harmonies and variations, and really well-played & "recorded" too (sorry,
had to slip in some wordplay.) Gorgeous photograph, although I would
have preferred a photo of some of the recorders. Even in the thick of
things near the end, you manage to keep the orchestration clear, I like
this a great deal. Perfect amount of ambient reverb, felt warm... no
critiques here, faved/dled!
ttfn,
Drakonis

Check out my latest song called Lullaby for the Inner Child

	said 1145 days ago (October 9th, 2006)
	Thanks for the pointer from the forum. THAT is some nice piece of work.... I agree with the "too short" comment.

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 1145 days ago (October 9th, 2006)

I love this sound...
I bet it'd be neat to hear this sort of harmonized use of recorders in
another setting: rock, folk-rock, prog rog, some sort of alternative
something or other... The recorders really sound like voices in pieces like
this... I can also really imagine a set of themes and variations such as this,
that breaks into an actual song with people singing words...

This is a lovely snippet, nicely developed. I could easiler listen to a longer
version...

Ed

Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

Ed Hannifin	Ed Hannifin said 1145 days ago (October 9th, 2006)
	Have you listened to, or viewed... ...Richard Thompson's DVD/CD release, '1000 Years of Popular Music'? I bet you'd love it... He does a lovely turn of modern-meets-ancient with 'Oops, I Did It Again'.... Ed Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

thetiler	thetiler said 1144 days ago (October 10th, 2006)
	Enjoyed Thanks for sharing! Check out my latest song called Little Drummer Boy Variations

vbluesky	vbluesky said 1144 days ago (October 10th, 2006)
	cool sound, I do remember the torture of 3ard grade music class and the 1st day playing the recorders, but it did open my eyes to Native American Indian flutes and to melodies.Good idea andperformance Check out my latest song called SMILE ( onesweetworld Remix )

vbluesky	vbluesky said 1144 days ago (October 10th, 2006)
	cool sound, I do remember the torture of 3ard grade music class and the 1st day playing the recorders, but it did open my eyes to Native American Indian flutes and to melodies.Good idea andperformance Check out my latest song called SMILE ( onesweetworld Remix )

vbluesky	vbluesky said 1144 days ago (October 10th, 2006)
	pic that is a beautiful place, is that view outside your window? Check out my latest song called SMILE ( onesweetworld Remix )

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 1144 days ago (October 10th, 2006)
	Out my window.... right..... No, unfortunately that's just a stock photo I picked up. Btw, did you hear my track with native american flute? It's the "natives" song I posted a while ago. Thanks for commenting -- Victor. Check out my latest song called Desert Stars

vbluesky	vbluesky said 1144 days ago (October 10th, 2006)
	still a beautiful scene and yes I did rate/comment on your song Natives, I was the 1st to do so....I would like to say that you must create more song in that genre, I think I'll remix some of my flute songs again. --- UltimateLoveMaximumRespect Check out my latest song called SMILE ( onesweetworld Remix )

Denny Borsboom	Denny Borsboom said 1144 days ago (October 10th, 2006)
	I'm mesmerized by this work... Very well recorded and produced, and beautifully played. Thanks for posting this. Denny Check out my latest song called Memphisto

Bowman	Bowman said 1144 days ago (October 10th, 2006)
	Good Stuff! Love this piece. Do I hear some Henry Purcell in here? Reminds me a bit of his work. Whatever loved the very real recorders and the fun you had as it progressed. Good Stuff! Check out my latest song called The Orion Express - MJ Space Race 2009 by Bowman

jgurner

jgurner said 1144 days ago (October 10th, 2006)

Very cool....
The recorded is a very under appreciated instrument. Most people just
have bad memories of it from elementary music class, but as you've
shown, it is a wonderful sounding and very versitile instument. The tune
is great and the renaissance style is very fitting. I can just imagine a room
full of lords and ladies around a banquet table as this is played. Enjoyed it
so much.

Check out my latest song called Bourbon Street Dawn

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 1144 days ago (October 10th, 2006)
	Lords and ladies Thanks for the compliment. Maybe with a little luck I can even get the lords and ladies to get up for a stately dance. Check out my latest song called Desert Stars

	said 1143 days ago (October 11th, 2006)
	Impressive Great to listen to, i love the sound of your flutes good going for putting this up for us.

ziti	ziti said 1140 days ago (October 14th, 2006)
	very very cool...this must have been a ton of work and the final result is simply beautiful. deep bow z Check out my latest song called All Smokey

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 1140 days ago (October 15th, 2006)
	Hard work Thanks. The tons of work were not that bad. This piece was actually done in one 8 hour marathon session. By the end of it I did have cramp in my right hand; that tenor recorder really stretches even my fairly large reach. But it's very rewarding to put all the pieces of the puzzle together like that. -- Victor. Check out my latest song called Desert Stars

	said 1134 days ago (October 21st, 2006)
	Cool... Yeah cool...

tsand19151	tsand19151 said 1129 days ago (October 25th, 2006)
	wow amazing sound space. exellent performance. just an awesome track...... Check out my latest song called Kool Hot Flashes

	said 1128 days ago (October 26th, 2006)
	Gorgeous! I have two recorders and can't play a clean note on either one of the. I'm quite green with envy! This is so beautifull and well executed. So joyful...so very joyful...yet not without just a hint of sorrow. Thanks for this Vic. Be well! http://www.macjams.com/song/25549

SmokeyVW	SmokeyVW said 1116 days ago (November 7th, 2006)
	leaves... me breathless wow - this is really cool. wow wow Check out my latest song called One For Me

Cameron

Cameron said 1113 days ago (November 10th, 2006)

Very inventive and accomplished!
Hello Victor,

Many apologies for not checking out this piece sooner; just today I discovered the "Notes" feature and didn't realize until this moment that over a month ago you had sent me a message alerting me to this wonderful recorder composition.

WOW! Not only do you demonstrate very impressive recorder writing here, but you turn out an accomplished performance. I am particularly struck by your quick scale work and slurs. It's very HARD to slur on recorders so rapidly!

I think this piece would have been even more effective without the modern twist at the end, but it was certainly inventive and didn't detract from the overall musical message. And about that modern twist....I see a whole other piece built on that.

You're inspiring me to dust off a few of my own multi-recorder projects. My partner and I have been composing pieces for recorders for several years now (duets, trios and quartets). Judging from the very positive response to your great piece here, I am encouraged that many people DO like listening to recorder music!

Wonderful job. Thanks for sharing this.

Check out my latest song called EPONYM

ValleyPastor	ValleyPastor said 1089 days ago (December 4th, 2006)
	Very nice! That was fun to listen to. I'm in a melancholy "old woodwind" kind of mood right now, and I couldn't have discovered this at a better time. Check out my latest song called Understanding

borisluxx	borisluxx said 1087 days ago (December 6th, 2006)
	Wonderful! Wow! Great job, Vic! Very nice classical piece. This would sound great live. I would love to hear some wonderous cellos and violins come in, to fill up the spectrum of sound. It would Really richen-up the sound of this piece, as well as make it an even more awesome track! Excellent work, Vic! Take care! -Boris Luxx Check out my latest song called Copperhead

Enrique Gil	Enrique Gil said 1033 days ago (January 30th, 2007)
	This is great! My 15 yo son finished learning this piece (violin version) last year and learned to appreciate it after hearing it like dozens of times times per day during his practice time. Never heard the recorder version and Iiked it. Thank you! Check out my latest song called Simple Feelings

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 1033 days ago (January 30th, 2007)
	Folia I assume your son played the Corelli set of variations. There are actually literally hundreds of versions, see http://members.chello.nl/folia/ which these days also has my version (a longer one than here on MJ). Thanks for listening and commenting. Victor. Check out my latest song called Desert Stars

Enrique Gil	Enrique Gil said 1020 days ago (February 11th, 2007)
	you are right it was the Corelly variations. One of the wonderful melodies from the period. Check out my latest song called Simple Feelings

Enrique Gil	Enrique Gil said 1020 days ago (February 11th, 2007)
	typo I meant Corelli of course....... Check out my latest song called Simple Feelings

DaroMode	DaroMode said 1026 days ago (February 5th, 2007)
	WOW Man this song is a piece of art, a masterpiece. I love it so much its great. Keep doing great DaroMode Check out my latest song called Sueño

david.sfinzi

david.sfinzi said 1010 days ago (February 21st, 2007)

Old and New: Yes!
I can only echo the words of others below. well conceived and executed. Recorders are like other instruments. They just need to be played by musicians!

anecdote: My first exposure to recorders is a friend I did a couple of collaborations with many years ago. He by then had several recorders including the cool bass. He was one of the musician friends at my renaissance-styled wedding where they played a little waltz I wrote for the occasion. He complained of all the chromatic notes in the piece (atypical of the instrument/style and his proficiency. I, being just the composer, hadn't noticed the difficulties.) Hearing the chromatic runs took me right back to that moment of a very fun day.

[Aside: I've been looking for LE/GB audio instrument for recorders ever since I got the software. Ever seen any? ]

Check out my latest song called Baroque Concertino in F

ceilidh	ceilidh said 936 days ago (May 7th, 2007)
	... i have no words Vic. stunning. 10-10-10-10 paja Check out my latest song called Gartan Mother's Lullaby

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 936 days ago (May 7th, 2007)
	Words, number, what the diff.... Thanks! Victor. --- -- I review yours, you review mine, 'kay? Check out my latest song called Desert Stars

Kess	Kess said 919 days ago (May 23rd, 2007)
	Nice Room Sound Cool natural reberb. Enjoyed how clean the performances are. Check out my latest song called Funk in Progress

djdrshaman	djdrshaman said 839 days ago (August 12th, 2007)
	now that's retro! loved the classic harmonies- great playing- like being in henry 8's courtyard whist scheming with the cardinal... :) Check out my latest song called The East Weeps in the West (collab w/ birdmanwayne)

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 839 days ago (August 12th, 2007)
	The past is never past It's always good to remember your previous lives. Thanks for the comment. Victor. --- -- I review yours, you review mine, 'kay? Check out my latest song called Desert Stars

	said 610 days ago (March 27th, 2008)
	Ma Follia Excellent in every way. I especially like the glissandi.

Bob6stringer	Bob6stringer said 599 days ago (April 7th, 2008)
	Chamber beauty This is just dripping with a feeling of timelessness ... and for me, notalgia for the old pipe organ in the cathedral recital hall at Syracuse U., which I used to bask in 30 years ago when attending recitals was my version of a spiritual high. Check out my latest song called Yours and Mine

VicDiesel	VicDiesel said 599 days ago (April 7th, 2008)
	Ah, those pipes Yes, an ensemble of recorders can sound a bit like a pipe organ. But they have their own charms, and yes, listening to a good organ in a nice church can be a very spiritual experience. Thanks for commenting. Check out my latest song called Desert Stars

HenriROGERsoloandbands	HenriROGERsoloandbands said 492 days ago (July 23rd, 2008)
	Variations I enjoyed the listen . I'm not familiar with this instrument and the music style . Now I want to know more . Thank you . Check out my latest song called HyperKineziK 1/1

VicDiesel

VicDiesel said 492 days ago (July 23rd, 2008)

Style
Well, La Folia is originally 17th century. The most famous variations are by Corelli. I find them kinda boring. My first variation could have been written by Corelli, but after that I take off in wild directions.

The recorder is a sadly maligned instrument. Too many people were forced to learn it as children, but it's actually a beautiful sounding instruments with lots of possibilities. Check out my renaissance & baroque compositions, and a little solo I played on Adam Clark's track (see above) for more recorder music.

Check out my latest song called Desert Stars

Monkaton	Monkaton said 364 days ago (November 29th, 2008)
	Great Performance What a great sound and your performance is excellent. The composition is interesting and never falters. I'm glad I went back in your catalogue to listen to this gem. Check out my latest song called Darkness of the Night

Kev3136	Kev3136 said 332 days ago (December 30th, 2008)
	=] Sounds good, Recorders always give me a tickle for some reason xD Check out my latest song called Transformed Directive

davisamerica	davisamerica said 332 days ago (December 30th, 2008)
	vic just amazing Check out my latest song called No Son(egobandit band)

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Artist Info

Name: Victor

In past lives, VicDiesel was a country fiddler, a shawm player at the Burgundy court, bellows pumper for JS Bach, Geoff Emerick's factotum, and a beggar playing drums in the streets of Calcutta for alms. Unusually, the memories of all that come... [see more]

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