Review

Giovanni Gabrieli
Canzon per Sonar Primi Toni à8: from Sacrea Symphoniae Ch.170

Arranged by Damiano Drei

4 B-flat trumpets (2 piccolo; alternate 2 F horns), 2 F horns (alternate trombones), 2 trombones (alternate 1 tuba)

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher:
Date of Publication: 2020
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 6+ brass (choir)

Sacrae Symphoniae, a collection of vocal and instrumental works published in 1608, is a summation of Renaissance musical art. At the same time, the polyphonic technique developed by Gabrieli in pieces such as this points the way forward to Bach via Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672) who studied in Venice from 1609-1612, and its long singing lines presage the bel canto vocal style. Its overall structure, fast-slow-fast, anticipates classical sonata form.

In this arrangement, Choir A is comprised of two trumpets in B-flat, horn in F and trombone, and Choir B of two trumpets in B-flat and two trombones. It is given in alla breve meter, marked Allegretto. There are two short sections in 3/4. No specific tempo is indicated; I have given the playing time for a tempo of quarter = 120. If the choirs are spatially separated, a slower tempo might be preferred. The arranger has assigned a range of dynamics from mezzo piano to fortissimo.

Parts for trombones 4A and 8B are given in bass clef, ranges G-e-flat¹ and G-g¹ respectively; trombone 7B is in tenor clef, range g-a¹. Five substitute parts are provided, including trombone for horn in choir 1; this is given in tenor clef, and tops out at a¹. There are at least 28 possible permutations, including addition of tuba, and requiring anything from 1-4 trombones.

Damiano Drei is a trombone player and founder of the Quintet ‘Romagna Brass.’ He teaches at the City Music School in Ravenna. He has 26 published arrangements to date, including three other Cherry publications.