A setting of three variations on La Folia for Bassoon Quintet. This piece was an 'earworm' of its day. I was copied and arranged for almost every conceivable type of ensemble by every major composer. The most famous settings are probably those by Purcell and Handel, but this is a relatively unknown setting, originally for brass instruments, but it transfers very well onto double reeds.

After the full statement of the theme with simple harmony, there come three variations, each becoming a little more complex using the usual Renaissance/Baroque technique of divisions, whereby each variation uses ever smaller note values.

This set is relatively simple and should no be beyond most ensembles. A great addition to the repertoire.