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Gabrieli Consort & Players

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

The Gabrieli Consort & Players is a British early music ensemble, consisting of a choir and an orchestra that plays on period instruments. The ensemble was founded in 1982 by the conductor Paul McCreesh. The name refers to Giovanni Gabrieli, the Venetian composer and organist who worked at the Basilica di San Marco around 1600 and became famous for his music for multiple choirs and instrumental groups.

Music and breakthrough

That Venetian repertoire is central to the ensemble's recordings. A Venetian Coronation 1595 appeared in 1990 and brings together music from the Venetian tradition. Music for San Rocco from 1996 and Venetian Easter Mass from 1997 follow on from it. The group also recorded Palestrina Mass: Hodie Christus natus est in 1993, Requiem Officium Defunctorum, 1605 in 1995 and Handel's Messiah in 1997. Earlier, in 1987, the oratorios Jephthah, The Judgement of Solomon and Jonah appeared.

Influence

The Gabrieli Consort & Players belongs to the movement that wants early music to sound as it was originally conceived, with small, agile line-ups and instruments of the period.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to a piece from A Venetian Coronation 1595 and notice how different groups of singers and instruments alternate. Try to hear how large the space sounds in which that music was meant to be heard.

Discography

Studio albums

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