This fourteen part sonata is not only one of Gabrieli's largest ensembles ~ including a 'coro grave' or low choir ~ but also the most harmonically daring of all his instrumental works. And yet after s...
Conceived for three large groups of five players apiece, this sonata combines grandeur and virtuosity for the three principal players of each choir.
A lavish instrumental work in the 1597 collection. Fifteen voices lying almost exclusively in the alto to bass registers.
This sonata scored for twenty two parts is the most lavish of all Gabrieli's instrumental works. Sonorous affect rather than musical argument is clearly the intention.
Simple yet characterful four-part canzonas found in Raverii's 1608 collection.
A fairly conservative work in five parts, but not without deft harmonic and rhythmic touches which point towards the imagination of later works.
A six part canzona which opens with one of Gabrieli's most characteristic rising themes and goes on to embrace attractive three-part writing, flourishes, scale passages and a brief triple-time section...
The opening theme of this six part work retains the canzona rhythm, but also uses the unusual intervals of diminished fourth and fifth. The overall effect is of a certain angularity and rusticity.
This 6 part canzon is the first to seriously explore Gabrieli's fascination with opposing rhythms. The essentially lyrical duple time music is punctuated four times by a bold triple-time ritornello.
