Giovanni Gabrieli

Sonata Piano e Forte

This well-known sonata by Gabrieli has been performed and recorded by many brass ensembles. This arrangement utilizes the idea of Renaissance consorts. While modern brass instruments are not generally used in true consorts, one can group instruments according to bore shape, thus approximating a consort. To that end, the first choir uses cylindrical instruments (4 trumpets) while the second uses conical instruments (4 flugelhorns). This will yield a well-balanced and blended sound within each choir while allowing the listener to follow the performers through the contrasting timbres of the two choirs.