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.
Performing these works is noted musician Roberto Loreggian, who has
already made several CDs for Brilliant Classics; his recording as part
of the C.P.E. Bach Edition (BC94960), alongside Federico Guglielmo, was
praised by Gramophone for its ‘fine style and spirit’.
The first complete recording of the keyboard works of Gabrieli
(1532-1585), one of the most famous and influential composers of the
late Renaissance and the most important representative of the Venetian
School. A native of Venice he went to Germany to study with Lassus.
Later he became organist of the famous San Marco in Venice, the most
important post in Northern Italy at that moment.
Gabrieli was one of the first composers to write purely instrumental
music. His works for keyboard (organ, cembalo) consist of Ricercars, a
monothematic form which is the forerunner of the Fugue, brilliant and
virtuoso Preludes and Toccatas, and lavishly ornamented arrangements of
madrigals and other vocal works.
Italian Roberto Loreggian is one of the foremost keyboardists of this
time. His extensive discography includes the complete keyboard works of
Frescobaldi. He plays the wonderful, recently restored historic organ of
the Duomo of Valvasone.
Booklet contains excellent liner notes and information on the instruments used.
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