Altre Follie is Jordi Savall and Hesperion XXI’s follow-up to their critically acclaimed 1998 La Folia recording (type Q6449 in Search Reviews). Like the previous offering, the works here are arranged roughly in chronological order, from around 1500 to the beginning of the 18th century. Unlike the previous program, no French composers are represented; Savall instead opted to include Folia variations by more distant composers, such as England’s John Playford (“Faronell’s Division”) and an anonymous Peruvian (“Folias Criollas”), in addition to the more home-grown Mediterranean fare.
While all of the program’s selections are appealing, some are especially intriguing in the way they belie and even transcend the modest Portuguese roots of the dance. For instance, in Andrea Falconiero’s “Folias echa para mi Senora Doña Tarolilla de Carallenos”, the relatively simple theme gradually evolves into a wonderfully complex jubilant fugue. The aforementioned Playford work is equally spirited, although here the composer’s light-hearted variations are more true to the original meaning of Folia (which is derived from the Tuscan term “folle”, or in English, “folly”). In this stunning piece violinist Manfredo Kraemer is put through his paces, frequently altering tempos and dynamics to sometimes humorous effect.
Other virtuosic works such as Arcangelo Corelli’s famous Follia (1700) and Henrico Albicastro’s Sonata “La Follia”, with its chilling staccato rhythms, equally impress. Other subtler, more austere settings are often just as captivating, such as Arianna Savall’s lovely triple harp performance of Alonso Mudarra’s “Fantasia que contrahaze la harpa de Ludovico” and guitarist Rolf Lislevand’s spirited rendition of Santiago de Murcia’s “Folias Gallegas”.
Alia Vox’s sound is state-of-the-art, with remarkable clarity and presence. While mastered at a noticeably lower level compared to the regular CD issue, the SACD reveals slightly more ambience and convincing spatial transparency. In sum, Savall has done it again, producing another imaginatively conceived and expertly performed program that’s a delight from beginning to end. Very highly recommended.
