Review

Giovanni Gabrieli
Canzon per Sonar Duodecimi Toni à 8 from Sacrae Symphoniae, Ch.174:

Arranged by Damiano Drei

Brass Ensemble: Brass Choir: 4 B-flat trumpets (2 F horns alternate), 2 F horns (2 trombones alternate), tenor trombone, bass trombone (tuba alternate)

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

Score and parts.

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

Giovanni Gabrieli was best known for his work as principal composer and organist at St. Mark’s Basilica from 1585 until 1612. He famously utilized the two facing choir lofts to capitalize upon the fantastic acoustic capacity of this space, composing many antiphonal pieces for groups of instruments or voices.

Sacrae Symphoniae is a large collection of Gabrieli’s instrumental pieces published in 1597. This canzona is originally set for two four-part choirs (SATB), most likely for any instrument family. Damiano Drei’s arrangement is for two choirs with an Allegretto tempo indication. It is scored for four B-flat trumpets (two on piccolo), F horn, two trombones, and tuba. Many substitute parts are included, which allow for several different brass instrumentations. The original meter signatures of 4/2 and 3/2 have been reconfigured to more readable alla breve and ¾. The original key of C major is maintained, as well as the highly antiphonal style. Most musical motifs are detached, some figures are slurred. Frequent dynamic markings are included throughout, including crescendos and diminuendos.

Preexisting brass arrangements can be found, one recorded by New York Brass Ensemble and released on Period Records in 1957. Another is recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra Brass and arranged by Eric Crees, released in 2001 by Naxos. A third is arranged by Reiny Rolock for three horns, two trumpets, two trombones and tuba.

The ranges are mostly accessible: trumpets d1-b2, horn d1-e2, trombones G-a1, and tuba/bass trombone GG-d. The first trombone part is given in tenor clef, otherwise all parts are in standard treble or bass clefs. Technically and rhythmically, all parts are accessible to the high school level. However, the range for piccolo trumpets and trombone 1 and the independence of the antiphonal style may challenge younger players. This arrangement is appropriate for college level and beyond.