La Ciaccona, Il mondo che gira

Program: chaconnes, folies, Iberian and Italian tarantellas

As well as maize, potatoes, tomatoes and a few mineral riches, Latin America brought us the chaconne. Italy seized upon it and turned it into the ciaccona, a popular dance that is openly sensual. Available in the form of passacaglias, tarantellas and other "follies", the ciaccona uses the same technique: the almost hypnotic repetition of the same rhythmic cell, supported by a descending tetrachord in the bass. In certain regions of Europe, such as southern Italy, it was even claimed that this repetition had therapeutic virtues (tarantella was supposed to cure tarantula bites). But the success of these ostinato pieces undoubtedly stems from the freedom of expression they afford. The ostinato played in the bass provides an unchanging reference point, allowing the voice or melodic instruments to express themselves with greater originality and creativity.