Some acoustic examples of Folias in MP3-format

In the past all mp3-files were listed here. However the number of files kept on growing apart from the increasing file sizes. Since March 2008 it often happened that at the end of the month the site ran out of bandwidth and was closed down by the provider till the first date of the next month. To avoid accommodating visitors only interested in downloading mp3-files without any interest for the folia theme itself, I have given up listing all mp3-files since June 2008 here. Downloading Mp3-files takes a lot of bandwidth compared to midi-files. A growing number of mp3-files (mostly fragments) is added at the website but only indicated at the relevant composer section. Remember that the only purpose is to give a brief impression of what this folia-music is all about and to illustrate the intentions of the composer/performer. To appreciate the richness of the music and its interpretation it is best to visit a library, conservatory or recordshop.

Some acoustic examples of Folias and similar music in midi

It should be pointed out that there is no intention to bring the music alive in these examples because these midi files used as examples lack any kind of expression and dynamics. The only purpose is to give a brief impression of what this folia-music is all about. To appreciate the richness of the music and its interpretation it is best to go to a library, conservatory or recordshop.

composers of La Folia at the internet (complete set of variations)

• La Follia Variations for Recorder Quartet (1996): M.J. Starke.
  Duration of the music 3'14" and the size of the file is 9kB.
  The arrangement (set of 5 variations) is based upon the Corelli variations for alto recorder and continuo.
  © 1996 and used with permission.
  The classical midi archive of M.J. Starke is located at http://www.prs.net/starke.html
• Folia2000 sequenced by Nicola Nicolis
  Duration of the music 3'25" and the size of the file is 18kB.
  This set of variations, probably the latest sequenced in the 20th century, is grouped into repeating blocks of 16 bars for 'piano' starts with a parallel descending melody line before in the third variation a syncopated counter melody is introduced to give the piece a ragtime feeling. The last two blocks are a further exploration of the syncopation within a 'classical' atmosphere.
  © 2000 and used with permission.
  You can mail Nicola Nicolis at nicolisn@easynet.it
• La Follia da Spagna con molti variazioni per il Clavicembalo in parte due a quattro: Mark Moya based upon the folia-theme utilised by G. Pacchioni.
  Duration of the music 7'00" and the size of the file is 25kB.
  This set of variations for 'harpsichord' edited by Mark Moya starts at a very slow pace but evolves towards a dazzling speed before calming down again to end where it began. In these variations the sixteenth bar (tonica) is consequently omitted (which happens to be the same as the first bar of the next variation). So variations over 15 bars, which gives a nice drive to the music but it still does sound very natural because of the ritardandos (slowing down of tempo) at the end of every variation. Albicastro used the same trick in his set of variations
  © 1997 and used with permission.
  The classical midi archive of Mark Moya is located at http://midiworld.com/cmc/moya.html
• Fandango-prey: 'composed' and transcribed by Paul Gabler.
  Duration of the music 1'19" and the size of the file is 6 kb.
  Inspired by the fandangos of Soler and Boccherini the vast intro looks promising but after the first three chords of the theme the fandango got carried away by the Folia. In the solo-part there is a moment of consiousness followed by an attempt to restore the fandango for a brief moment till it's evident that the folia will not let go and the music gives in abruptly.
  © 1998 and used with permission.

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