From the Ground Up: The Chaconne

Originating as a sexy dance in South America, the ‘chacona’ crossed the Atlantic and established itself in Spain as an irresistible temptation. In 1615 it was banned from Spanish theatres for being ‘lascivious, dishonest, or offensive to pious ears’, but the attractions of the chaconne held sway. From the Ground Up traces its allure from early Spanish chaconnes, through the worlds of Purcell and Piccinini, to Bach’s magisterial example for solo violin. Reanimating the irresistible, Purcell’s ground basses furnish a harmonic groove for readings from Shakespeare accompanied by rapped commentary.