Festa Italiana: Songs and Dances

Various Artists MON71345

This collection presents examples of national Italian folk music and dance—that is, music and dance that are popular throughout the peninsula. The album features the music of five dance styles: Tarantella, Quadrille, Mazurka, Waltz, and Stornelli. Only Tarantella and Stornelli have indigenous roots, but regardless of their origin, all these dances have been completely integrated into Italian tradition. Typical instruments used in Italian folk music are the accordion, double flute, tambourine, guitar, and mandolin.

The liner notes present a brief summary of the history of the different dances, as well as English translations of the songs.