- This work is a set of variations on a popular dance called La Folía. The dance likely originated in Portugal before the 15th century, and it became a popular basis for variations and other compositions throughout Europe. In France, the tune was often called Les folies d’Espagne (“ ‘The Follies,’from Spain” or “The Spanish ‘Follies'”).
- Here is a listing of works based on La Folía. Correlli’s setting might be the most famous one.
- In the first edition, Marais’s variations on Les folies d’Espagne are actually entitled Couplets de folies. The set of variations appears as the (very long) closing movement of his 20-movement Suite No. 1 in D minor for viol. The suite was printed in the second of Marais’s five books of music for viol: Pièces de viole, Livre 2, published in Paris in 1701.1
Sources
- “Pièces de viole (Marais, Marin),” IMSLP, accessed July 29, 2021, https://imslp.org/wiki/Pi%C3%A8ces_de_viole%2C_Livre_2_(Marais%2C_Marin).
Cut IDs
23812 23037