theme "Madness"

I think it is appropriate, first of all, to remember that "Follia" is a popular melody of Portuguese origin, born as a lively dance connected with fertility rites. We find mention of it in 1877 by Salines and shortly after by Cervantes. From a social dance, it passed into art music, becoming slow and majestic, performed by the lute, guitar, keyboards, and strings. During the Baroque period, it was used as a bass for instrumental variations. It was used in Spain, France, Italy, and Germany. In addition to those you have already mentioned, we have that of J.B.J Cabanilles for organ, Stefani for voice, Milanuzzi for voice, Farinell for violin (although this is a version for lute), Marais for viola da gamba (fabulous as always Jordi Savall), Alessandro Scarlatti for harpsichord, and also J.S. Bach in an aria from the Cantate burlesque.

Open content (youtube)

Open content (youtube)

Open content (youtube)

Open content (youtube)

When I read the title, I thought of Schumann and his "madness"

<< The figure of R. Schumann is very emblematic of how, during that period, certain extreme manifestations of the human psyche were diagnosed and treated both by the medical profession and by the common morality of the time. Certainly, in the musician Schumann, psychotic traits of interpersonal distress became evident despite his recognized notoriety and musical genius. As early as age fifteen, following the sudden deaths of his sister and father, anxiety, alternating with meditative moments and isolation, was a peculiar characteristic of his personality. Just as that sense of derealization (a mental state characterized by a change in awareness of the external world) attributed to him due to his fervent fantasy and rich imaginative life, which for some psychiatrists was "proof" of his mental disorders.
The state of mental confusion regarding Schumann became public knowledge after the suicide attempt carried out in February 1854. Suffering from a severe depressive episode, Schumann, who at the time lived in Dusseldorf, left his house in a dressing gown and slippers and headed towards the Rhine. Upon reaching the toll bridge, he suddenly threw himself into the freezing waters of the river. Unfortunately for him, he was admitted to a private clinic directed by Dr. Richarz, who, as an authentic "organicist" shrink, most likely treated him too much or poorly. His own wife seems to have made few attempts to have him discharged or to secure better care, perhaps because she was "distracted" by the young lover Brahms... in any case, in June 1856, Schumann dies. >>

extract from the book Music and Medicine by J. O’Shea

Or perhaps it is meant that the term is explicitly in the title of the work, right?

I would say Daniele explained the origin of the theme very well

danielescarpetti wrote:

We find mention of it in 1877 by Salines and shortly after by Cervantes..

Goodness! Naturally I meant to write 1577!

beautiful idea Antares... the first ones I listened to, fifteen years ago, are these by Antonio Martìn

Open content (youtube)

I didn't know these ones.... I think I read that Liszt used the theme of madness for another piece as well, but I don't remember which one.... and I also have to find those of Johann Sebastian....

the first ones I became acquainted with were those of Rachmaninoff and Liszt, then I added everything else, someone by chance someone no.... like Carl Philipp's variations are very recent, as are Salieri's....