La Folia - Atrium Musicae Madrid
...This is essentially an original composition, a series of variations on an ancient Spanish dance melody that has intrigued dozens of composers from Corelli and Vivaldi down to Liszt and Carl Nielsen. Paniagua's reactions to this ancient motif range wildly from Renaissance and Baroque-style treatments to ultramodern variations using jazz rhythms, electronic sounds and even the sound of an automobile zooming away. It is wildly imaginative and may even appeal to some devotees of the fringe varieties of rock...
(The Washington Post)
...Gregorio Paniagua and his original-instrument ensemble present a bizarre program based on the ancient tune known as the 'Spanish Follies' and intended to illustrate the 'folly' or madness that has been said to tinge Spanish culture. Mad it is, with a vengeance. Among the original instruments sounding off here are automobiles, pistols, and birds...
(The Absolute Sound)
...A folia is apparently some sort of mad dance, a perfect description of this recording. On the surface, it's a sprightly work for a small period-instrument group. Initially, all very refined and courtly - but punctuated throughout in a fashion that honors the tradition of P.D.Q. Bach and Spike Jones. I won't say more; it would spoil the fun. The performance is excellent - but then there's nothing with which to compare it...
(Stereophile)
Atrium Musicæ/Gregorio Paniagua.
La Folia de la Spagna
Anon
1. Fons vitae/Dementia praecox angelorum/Supra solfamirevt
2. Extravagans/Laurea minima/In vitro
3. Oratio pro-folia/Fama volat/Citrus - Hesperides
4. Principalis. Fermescens/Indica exacta/Adverso flumine
5. Parsimonia aristocraciae
6. Subtilis/De profundis - Extra muros
7. Vulgaris - Sine populi notione/Vagula et blandula
8. Nordica et desolata/Aurea mediocritas
9. Nobilissima/Degradans et corruptae
10. De pastoribus/Mathematica dies irae/Crepuscularis/Sine nomine/Tristis est anima mea/Equites fortis armaturae/Audaces fortuna juvat/Sine praeputium/Ecclesiastica
11. Theatralis et hipocritae/Ruralis/Alter indica perfecta
12. De tolerentia aetherea/Fuga ficta et carrus triumphalis