Gabrieli: Complete Keyboard Music

Schola Gregoriana Scriptoria

94432

One of the most important composers of the 16th century, Andrea Gabrieli wrote hundreds of works in his lifetime, many of which are now sadly lost. As for the few surviving ones, here the listener is treated to some remarkable creativity and experimentation: free-flowing toccatas, ricercars, variations and verses for mass constitute the bulk of his oeuvre. Although many of Gabrieli’s extant works are vocal pieces, there are around 60 keyboard compositions in existence, works that reveal his astonishing creativity. The toccatas start with a typical free section in the imitative style, followed by rapid figures designed to showcase the virtuosity of the performer. Indeed, it was even remarked that performers were justified in hitting wrong notes, as long as they fully upheld the practice of diminution, fast passages of improvised counterpoint. Gabrieli’s ricercars are more structured, with a marked focus on double counterpoint and contrary motion. Though in some ways they resemble the vocal motet, with the use of several voices, the keyboard allows for the music to stretch far beyond the bounds of voice limitations. In fact, the ricercars probably served a liturgical purpose, with Gabrieli in all likelihood composing for the organ. He also composed organ versetti – or versets – for church services, giving us a valuable insight into the prescribed order of the time, as well as providing notated versions of music that was frequently improvised.

CD x 6

Muzyka klasyczna

Brilliant Classics

13-11-2019

5028421944326