Dance Music Through the Ages

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Elizabeth Talbert full profile / Solo flute / 1 musician

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"Les Folies d'Espagne" by Marin Marais

La Folia is a now-iconic chord progression that originated as a dance melody in 15th century Portugal. Later borrowed and used widely by Baroque composers like Marin Marias, the Folia is characterized by its recognizable chord progression and melodies that get faster and faster with each variation. Folia, or "follies," refers to the swirling madness of the peasant dances of the time.

"Tango Etudes" by Astor Piazzolla

Astor Piazzolla was one of Argentina's most celebrated composers and bandoneon players. His music uniquely combined classical, jazz, and traditional tango music to create a new genre called "nuevo tango." Due to their sultry slow melodies and contrasting virtuosity, the Tango Etudes are some of Piazzolla's best known works for flute solo.

"Three Dance Episodes" for electro-acoustic flute by Ben David Richmond

Three Dance Episodes is a series of three pieces for solo flute and electronic backing track, meant to evoke the music and emotions of a night out in Berlin. The night begins with fast-pulsing techno and dubstep before shifting into funky, rhythmic House music, and finally arriving at a dreamy and otherworldly "morning after." This piece was written for me during the COVID-19 lockdowns and I'm thrilled to finally be performing it.

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