„Roisterous Revelry” - La Folia - „roisterous revelry and boisterous exuberance“ is promised by the WoodAirQuartet comprised of Anna Lang – Violoncello, Alois Eberl – Accordion/Tombone, Walter Singer – Basso Continuo and Robert Kainar – Percussion.
La Folia, a music and dance style from the Renaissance and Baroque eras, is elevated into the 21st century. The sounds of virtuosic works from the 17th and 18th centuries by D. Ortiz, A.M. Y Coll and M. Marais, as well as original compositions and improvisations, adapt the character traits and phrasing of La Folia. The concept of Folia („craziness or folly“) originates from Portugal and denotes not only a musical technique of variations but also dances and songs of the 16th century with Spanish and Portuguese sources. But beware! In the early beginnings, the Folia dances were banned due to their unbridled character. Johann Matheson: Der vollkommene Kapellmeister („the complete Music Director“), Hamburg 1739...“what is known as Folies d'Espagne, is nothing but foolishness, quite frankly.“
The WoodAirQuartet has been founded in 2014 and is one of the selected Ensembles of the Jeunesse Austria. In july 2016 the Quartet released their first album: "La Folía - lärmende Lustbarkeit" Live on Jeunesse Tour ! ( lotus records ). One of the releasing - shows will be at the " Salzburger Festspiele 2016" and in 2017 at the "Wiener Konzerthaus".
The WoodAirQuartet has indeed made a tradition of combining musical works of past epochs with their own compositions and improvisations into their concert programs. This was already evident in the project „Per Ballare“ with its focus on the Italian Baroque music from A. Vivaldi, G. Frescobaldi or L. Boccherini.
Naturally this is only one aspect of WoodAirquartet's artistic range, with their instrumental diversity and spectrum of styles.
In November 2013 the WoodAir Ensemble was engaged by the new Musiktheater Linz for its production of „So spät durch Nacht und Wind“ (so late through Night and Wind). Under the direction of actress Verena Koch, the Ensemble interpreted German poetic ballads set to music by Anna Lang, with the performers of the Landestheater Linz.
Live Videos:
Diferencias sobre las Folías by A.M. y Coll
Folies d´Espagne:"Pieces de Viole du second Livre" by MArin Marais ( 1656 - 1728 )
MICA Vienna 07/2016 / M. Ternai: "....Altes trifft auf faszinierende Weise Neues....es wird getanzt und gefeiert, geweint und sich der wunderschönsten Melancholie hingegeben. Auch lassen sich Anna Lang und ihre kongenialen Kollegen jeden Raum für allerlei Improvisation und Klangexperimente. Es passiert immer irgendetwas, die Richtungen, in die sich die Nummern entwickeln, sind immer andere....Mit "La Folía - lärmende Lustbarkeit" legt das WoodAirQuartetein Stück Musik vor das viel Spaß macht. Es regt die Fantasie an, unterhält mit Niveau und berührt. Sehr empfehlenswert."
Kronen Zeitung /5. Nov. 2013/LA: „A special evening is guaranteed at the performance of „So spät durch Nacht und Wind“ (…) „WoodAir“ gave an outstanding performance: lyrical sounds enliven literary jewels (…) poetry with captivating accompaniment.“
