According to a famous statement by Herder, folk songs represent the archives of a nation's knowledge, the expression of its heart and theimage that reflects its history and identity. Suite Marchigiana is a three movement piece, inspired by folk songs from the Marche in central Italy, a region with a very ancient and rich folkloristic heritage. The first movement elaborates on the well-known Pasquella. The Pasquella comes from a traditional winter begging ritual where a group of musicians go from house to house singing verses, wishing their audience good health, wealth and abundance, in return for small amounts of money, food and wine. The second movement is an Andante Triste inspired by an old song called Sona la mezzanotte (The Clock Strikes Midnight), a melancholic song that reminds us of unhappy love stories, bereavement, and so on. Luciano Feliciani concludes the suite with the Saltarello Marchigiano, which is bright and sparkling, and therefore in complete contrast with the previous movement. Although unproven, the Saltarello is thought to have its origins in the 'saltatio' (a latin dance). While the choreae were group dances, circular in structure and with a rhythmic progression, the saltationes were more lively in character. The fast, frenetic and joyous saltarello was without any doubt the most famous musical expression of rural central Italy in the nineteenth century. 10:20
