Corelli La Folia Op. 5 No. 12 (Leonard) for Violin & String Orchestra

Corelli (after Hubert Leonard): La Folia (Arr. Violin & String Orchestra)

“From Baroque ground bass to concert showpiece” — a big, brilliant set-piece for advanced violinists.

La Folia is one of the great “evergreen” themes of Western music: a hypnotic chord pattern that generations of composers have turned into increasingly imaginative variations. In this concert arrangement (after Hubert Leonard), the solo violin moves from elegant Baroque-style figuration to full-blooded virtuoso writing, making it an ideal centrepiece for a serious programme.

What makes this version especially satisfying is the orchestral experience. Instead of a keyboard reduction, the string orchestra provides rhythmic bite, harmonic colour, and a real sense of stage drama, giving the soloist something to play against as the variations build in intensity.

Key Features

• Instrumentation: Solo Violin + String Orchestra (Vln I, Vln II, Vla, Vc, Db)
• Solo difficulty: Diploma standard (virtuosic variation writing, stamina, projection)
• Orchestra difficulty: Approx. Grade 6–8 
• Format: High‑quality PDF download (full score & all parts)
• Fidelity: Clearly engraved, rehearsal‑ready layout for confident performance

Why It Matters

This is the kind of repertoire that helps an advanced player show complete command: style, articulation, colour, and virtuosity. It also gives a string orchestra a proper musical role, not just accompaniment, with plenty of opportunities to work on pulse, ensemble clarity, and dynamic shaping as the variations intensify.

Perfect For

• Diploma recitals: A substantial showpiece with real narrative shape
• Advanced students: Building stamina and stage confidence in virtuoso variation form
• Youth and community orchestras: A compelling concert item with a genuine “soloist feature” moment
• Competitions and showcases: Brilliant writing that reads well in a hall