Ensemble Badinerie

ostinati e variazioni
Sonatas, Capricci and Balli from the 17th century

The instrumental music of the 17th century was shaped by various influences. Two of these influential styles will be introduced here: on one hand, the dances ans melodies originating in folk music, which served as the basic for improvisation and variation and which were often linked with ostinato bass patterns; and on the other, the viruosic, through-composed sonatas typified by their distinct solo character, contrasting sections and rich effects.