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Ma Follia by VicDiesel [Email]
Genre: Classical

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 1982
Comments: 58
Votes: 27
Plays: 317
Last Played: Oct 02, 2008 - 09:14:03 PM
Downloads: 54
Fans: 23
Uploaded: Oct 08, 2006 - 01:26:29 AM
Last Updated: Oct 08, 2006 - 03:57:18 PM
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Keywords:
recorder (12), flute (81), renaissance (17), variations (2)
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.....

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!
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Here s a BOW !! &mdash 10/08/06 - 03:21:42 AM
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 ..!!

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A chamber of recorders &mdash 10/08/06 - 08:39:54 AM
I've never heard a chamber of recorders before. What a wonderful sound!
Well done!


God bless,

Rick


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Very nice variations &mdash 10/08/06 - 09:05:13 AM
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.

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contemporary follia &mdash 10/08/06 - 09:09:40 AM
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.


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Stunning! &mdash 10/08/06 - 12:07:42 PM
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.

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Too short indeed &mdash 10/08/06 - 12:21:38 PM
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.


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PS &mdash 10/08/06 - 12:23:56 PM
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.

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cool idea &mdash 10/08/06 - 12:15:59 PM
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.

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Wonderfully played. &mdash 10/08/06 - 12:33:06 PM
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!

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Wow &mdash 10/08/06 - 01:34:08 PM
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!

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beautifull &mdash 10/08/06 - 02:38:00 PM
I could only wish to make something that great

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beautifull &mdash 10/08/06 - 02:38:05 PM
I could only wish to make something that great

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,-) &mdash 10/08/06 - 02:55:50 PM
YUM..exxxcelent!

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Just &mdash 10/08/06 - 04:04:40 PM
amazing!!!!
10's

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Thanks &mdash 10/08/06 - 04:09:36 PM
Thanks, man!


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Good stuff &mdash 10/08/06 - 04:38:16 PM
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

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First instrument &mdash 10/08/06 - 04:41:45 PM
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....

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This is magnificent! &mdash 10/08/06 - 09:19:51 PM
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...

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let me compose myself... &mdash 10/09/06 - 09:54:29 AM
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

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Thanks for the pointer &mdash 10/09/06 - 10:48:21 AM
from the forum. THAT is some nice piece of work....

I agree with the "too short" comment.

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I love this sound... &mdash 10/09/06 - 05:36:46 PM
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

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Have you listened to, or viewed... &mdash 10/09/06 - 05:38:57 PM
...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

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Enjoyed &mdash 10/10/06 - 10:30:32 AM
Thanks for sharing!

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cool &mdash 10/10/06 - 01:42:53 PM
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

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cool &mdash 10/10/06 - 01:44:20 PM
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

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pic &mdash 10/10/06 - 01:45:30 PM
that is a beautiful place, is that view outside your window?

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Out my window.... right..... &mdash 10/10/06 - 02:05:46 PM
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.

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still a &mdash 10/10/06 - 03:38:41 PM
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

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I'm mesmerized &mdash 10/10/06 - 03:03:59 PM
by this work... Very well recorded and produced, and beautifully
played. Thanks for posting this.
Denny

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Good Stuff! &mdash 10/10/06 - 04:24:57 PM
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!

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Very cool.... &mdash 10/10/06 - 05:48:42 PM
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.

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Lords and ladies &mdash 10/10/06 - 05:54:07 PM
Thanks for the compliment. Maybe with a little luck I can even get the lords and
ladies to get up for a stately dance.

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Impressive &mdash 10/11/06 - 08:51:47 PM
Great to listen to, i love the sound of your flutes good going for putting
this up for us.

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very &mdash 10/14/06 - 11:57:49 AM
very cool...this must have been a ton of work and the final result is
simply beautiful.

deep bow

z

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Hard work &mdash 10/15/06 - 09:39:00 AM
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.


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Cool... &mdash 10/21/06 - 07:23:28 AM
Yeah cool...

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wow &mdash 10/25/06 - 05:21:17 PM
amazing sound space. exellent performance. just an awesome track......

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Gorgeous! &mdash 10/26/06 - 05:44:34 PM
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

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leaves... me breathless &mdash 11/07/06 - 10:15:43 PM
wow - this is really cool.

wow





















wow

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Very inventive and accomplished! &mdash 11/10/06 - 11:23:54 AM
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.

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Very nice! &mdash 12/04/06 - 04:33:49 PM
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.

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Wonderful! &mdash 12/06/06 - 11:10:52 AM
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

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This is great! &mdash 01/30/07 - 01:21:57 AM
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!

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Folia &mdash 01/30/07 - 08:42:58 AM
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.

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you are right &mdash 02/11/07 - 05:54:45 PM
it was the Corelly variations. One of the wonderful melodies from the period.

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typo &mdash 02/11/07 - 05:57:34 PM
I meant Corelli of course.......

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WOW &mdash 02/05/07 - 04:07:55 PM
Man this song is a piece of art, a masterpiece.
I love it so much its great. Keep doing great
DaroMode

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Old and New: Yes! &mdash 02/21/07 - 09:13:01 PM
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? ]

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... &mdash 05/07/07 - 08:34:03 AM
i have no words Vic. stunning. 10-10-10-10
paja

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Words, number, what the diff.... &mdash 05/07/07 - 08:59:47 AM
Thanks!

Victor.

---
--
I review yours, you review mine, 'kay?

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Nice Room Sound &mdash 05/23/07 - 11:48:06 AM
Cool natural reberb. Enjoyed how clean the performances are.

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now that's retro! &mdash 08/12/07 - 09:41:26 AM
loved the classic harmonies- great playing- like being in henry 8's courtyard whist scheming with the cardinal... :)

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The past is never past &mdash 08/12/07 - 09:46:48 AM
It's always good to remember your previous lives.

Thanks for the comment.

Victor.

---
--
I review yours, you review mine, 'kay?

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Ma Follia &mdash 03/27/08 - 10:15:23 AM
Excellent in every way. I especially like the glissandi.

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Chamber beauty &mdash 04/07/08 - 07:39:01 PM
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.

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Ah, those pipes &mdash 04/07/08 - 08:26:37 PM
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.



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Variations &mdash 07/23/08 - 10:08:25 AM

I enjoyed the listen .
I'm not familiar with this instrument and the music style .
Now I want to know more . Thank you .


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Style &mdash 07/23/08 - 10:33:22 AM
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.

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