Viadana: La Fiorentina à8 (1610)

This piece from Viadana’s Sinfonie a otto voci (Venice, 1610) is one of 18 pieces named after different Italian cities.
This is one of many based on the Aria Fiorentina (Ballo del Gran Duca) from the 1589 intermedii.
Another double-choir version, very different from Viadana’s, is Floriando Canali’s La Balzana ↣.

The Aria di Fiorenza is more of a bass line than a tune, and was generally treated as such in the many surviving arrangements. Compared to the traditional ground basses, such as the passamezzo moderno, it has a stronger rhythmic element, with a faster and less regular harmonic rhythm. This has implications for performance, even in a relatively homophonic setting like the present one: in choosing instruments it is important that the bass is clearly heard.

Other titles from Viadana’s Sinfonie a otto voci (1610)

1. La Bergamasca ↣
2. La Bolognese ↣
3. La Bresciana ↣
4. La Cremonese ↣
5. La Fiorentia ↣ (you are here)
6. La Ferrarese ↣
7. La Genovese ↣
8. La Mantovana (and La Romana) ↣
9. La Modenese ↣
10. La Milanese ↣
11. La Napolitana ↣
12. La Padovana ↣
13. La Parmigiana ↣
14. La Piacentina ↣
15. La Reggiana ↣
16. La Romana (and La Mantovana) ↣
17. La Venetiana ↣
18. La Veronese ↣