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Track(s) taken from CDA66908

Canzon primi toni a 8, C170

composer
Giovanni Gabrieli (c1554/7-1612)
1597; No 1 of Sacrae Symphoniae

His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts
Recording details: March 1997
St Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, United Kingdom
Produced by Mark Brown
Engineered by Antony Howell & Julian Millard
Release date: September 1997
Total duration: 4 minutes 3 seconds
 

Reviews

‘This superb disc … is the very essence of La Serenissima. Masterly performances, alive with authentic detail’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘Excellent. The playing is fluent and exhilarating. An excellent recording. The notes are exemplary’ (Classic CD)

‘Magnificent. The range of color, breadth and depth of sonority and the majestic nobility of the composer's conception are all revealed in a manner even the most expert of modern brass players could not possibly emulate. A superlative disc and a real credit to everyone involved’ (Fanfare, USA)

«L'ensemble anglais est aujourd'hui au sommet de son art» (Répertoire, France)
The first of five canzonas for two equal four-part choirs in Sacrae Symphoniae, relatively traditional pieces clearly reflecting the symmetrical formal patterns of the old chanson. The Canzon primi toni a 8 (here transposed down a fourth) is dance-like, its pavan-like rhythms and regular sequences appropriate to the ‘worthy and pleasing harmony’ (Diruta), ‘halfway between sad and cheerful’ (Zarlino) of the 1st mode, giving way twice to a tripla in sedate galliard style.

The two choirs are very much of one mind, their conversation consisting mainly of dignified agreement, and the beautiful division-like sequences (here embellished ad libitum by the cornettists) create a quality of serene nobility.

from notes by Timothy Roberts © 1997

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