Giovanni Gabrieli

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Biography

Born: 1555; Venice, Italy   Died: August 12, 1612; Venice, Italy  
Giovanni Gabrieli is an important transitional figure between the Renaissance and Baroque eras and their associated musical styles. The distinctive sound of his music derived in part from his association with St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice, long one of the most important churches in Europe, and for which he wrote both vocal and instrumental works. Through his compositions and his work with several significant pupils, Gabrieli substantially Read more influenced the development of music in the seventeenth century.

Very little is known about his early years; he probably studied with his famous uncle Andrea Gabrieli, who was also a composer, and organist at St. Mark's. Like his uncle, Gabrieli lived in Germany for several years, and was employed at the court of Duke Albrecht V in Munich from around 1575 until the Duke's death in 1579. Soon after that Gabrieli returned to Italy, and in 1585 became the organist for the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, a religious confraternity; he would hold that post for the rest of his life. That same year (1585), Gabrieli became organist at St. Mark's and, on his uncle's death in 1586, assumed his position as its principal composer (Gabrieli also edited a number of his uncle's compositions for posthumous publication).

At that time, Venice was a very cosmopolitan city and something of a musical crossroads. Much of the city's musical activity centered around St. Mark's Cathedral, which had long attracted many great musicians. The Cathedral's unusual layout, with its two choir lofts facing each other (each with its own organ), led to the development of what has been called the Venetian style of composition -- a colorful and dramatic style often involving multiple choirs and instrumental ensembles; many of Gabrieli's motets and other religious choral works are written for two or four choirs, divided into a dozen or more separate parts. Gabrieli also became one of the first composers to write choral works including parts for instrumental ensembles; the motet In ecclesiis, as an example, calls for two choirs, soloists, organ, brass, and strings. Gabrieli wrote a number of secular vocal works (most or all of them before 1600), and a number of pieces for organ in a quasi-improvisational style.

Gabrieli composed many purely instrumental works in forms such as the canzoni and ricercari, which had become increasingly popular in the sixteenth century. Several of these were published with some of his choral music in the collection Sacrae symphoniae (1597). This publication was very popular all over Europe and attracted for Gabrieli a number of prominent pupils, the best known of which were Heinrich Schütz (who studied with him between 1609 and 1612) and Michael Praetorius. More of Gabrieli's instrumental pieces were published posthumously in Canzoni e sonate (1615). Some of these works were particularly innovative: the Sonata pian e forte was one of the first documented compositions to employ dynamic markings, and the Sonata per tre violini was one of the first to use a basso continuo, anticipating the later trio sonata. His instrumental works are now seen as the culmination of the development of instrumental music in the sixteenth century.

From around 1606, Gabrieli suffered from a kidney stone that reduced his activities, and eventually led to his death. Read less

Featured Giovanni Gabrieli CDs & DVDs:

G. Gabrieli: Sacrae Symphoniae 1597 / His Majestys Sagbutts
G. Gabrieli: Sacrae Symphoniae 1597 / His Majestys Sagbutts
Release Date: 09/09/1997   Label: Hyperion  
Catalog: 66908   Number of Discs: 1
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Gabrieli In Venice / London Brass
Gabrieli In Venice / London Brass
Release Date: 05/14/2002   Label: Apex  
Catalog: 40823   Number of Discs: 1
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Schutz: Christmas Story; Gabrieli: Motets / King's Consort
Schutz: Christmas Story; Gabrieli: Motets / King's Consort
Release Date: 10/09/2007   Label: Helios  
Catalog: 55310   Number of Discs: 1
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Echo - Glory Of Gabrieli / Canadian Brass
Echo - Glory Of Gabrieli / Canadian Brass
Release Date: 10/06/2009   Label: Opening Day  
Catalog: 7380   Number of Discs: 1
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Lo Sposalizio - Giovanni & Andrea Gabrieli, Etc / King, King's Consort
Lo Sposalizio - Giovanni & Andrea Gabrieli, Etc / King, King's Consort
Release Date: 04/10/2012   Label: Hyperion  
Catalog: 22072   Number of Discs: 2
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Browse 1-25 of 235 Available Recordings
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  • 1.
    Music of Old Cities & Royal Courts
    Music of Old Cities & Royal Courts
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 283312 Release Date: 05/21/2013   Number of Discs: 10
    Composer:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Franz Joseph Haydn,  Gregor Joseph Werner,  Frederick the Great  ... 
    Performer:  Tivadar Bantay,  Christa Richter-Steiner,  Theo Altmeyer,  Lisa Otto  ... 
    Conductor:  Bernhard Paumgartner,  Karl Forster,  Wolfgang Meyer,  Hans von Benda  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Salzburg Mozarteum Camerata Academica,  Baryton Trio,  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra  ... 
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  • 2.
    Italian Organ Masters / Rene Saorgin
    Italian Organ Masters / Rene Saorgin
    Label: Newton Classics   Catalog: 8802165 Release Date: 04/30/2013   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Andrea Gabrieli,  Amilcare Ponchielli,  Girolamo Frescobaldi,  Gioseffo Guami  ... 
    Performer:  René Saorgin
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  • 3.
    A Venetian Coronation / Mccreesh, Gabrieli Concert & Players
    A Venetian Coronation / Mccreesh, Gabrieli Concert & Players
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 026782 Release Date: 03/12/2013   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Giovanni Gabrieli,  Cesare Bendinelli,  Magnus Thomsen,  Andrea Gabrieli  ... 
    Performer:  James O'Donnell,  Charles Daniels,  Charles Pott,  David Hurley  ... 
    Conductor:  Paul McCreesh
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Gabrieli Consort,  Gabrieli Players
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  • 4.
    A Winter's Light / Backhouse, Vasari Singers
    A Winter's Light / Backhouse, Vasari Singers
    Label: Naxos   Catalog: 8573030 Release Date: 11/13/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Robert Chilcott,  Traditional,  Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck,  Jan Sandstrom  ... 
    Conductor:  Jeremy Backhouse
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vasari Singers
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  • 5.
    Andrea Gabrieli, Giovanni Gabrieli, Maestri Padani, Maestri Flamminghi: Organi Di San Petronio Di Bologna
    Andrea Gabrieli, Giovanni Gabrieli, Maestri Padani, Maestri Flamminghi: Organi Di San Petronio Di Bologna
    Label: Tactus   Catalog: 460090 Release Date: 11/13/2012   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giovanni Gabrieli,  Andrea Gabrieli,  Aurelio Bonelli,  Claudio Veggio  ... 
    Performer:  Luigi Ferdinando Tagliavini,  Liuwe Tamminga
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  • 6.
    Giovanni Gabrieli: Sacred Symphonies / Skidmore, Ex Cathedra
    Giovanni Gabrieli: Sacred Symphonies / Skidmore, Ex Cathedra
    Label: Hyperion   Catalog: 67957 Release Date: 11/13/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Giovanni Gabrieli
    Conductor:  Jeffrey Skidmore
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Concerto Palatino,  Ex Cathedra,  His Majesties Sagbutts and Cornetts
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  • 7.
    Anniversary Series - Early Music Collection
    Anniversary Series - Early Music Collection
    Label: Signum U.k.   Catalog: 301 Release Date: 10/30/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Claudio Monteverdi,  Gregorio Strozzi,  Antonio Vivaldi,  Juan Hidalgo  ... 
    Performer:  Emma Murphy,  David Kenedy,  Gail Hennessy,  Nicholas Parle
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment,  Charivari Agréable,  Cordaria  ... 
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  • 8.
    Jubilate Deo / Guglhor, Les Cornets Noir
    Jubilate Deo / Guglhor, Les Cornets Noir
    Label: Oehms   Catalog: 839 Release Date: 10/30/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Stadlmayr,  Heinrich Schütz,  Giovanni Gabrieli
    Performer:  Gert Hohmann,  Roswitha Schmelzl,  Andrea Lauren Brown,  Robert Sellier  ... 
    Conductor:  Gerd Guglhör
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Orpheus Choir Munich,  Les Cornets Noirs
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  • 9.
    Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzoni / Liuwe Tamminga
    Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzoni / Liuwe Tamminga
    Label: Passacaille   Catalog: 994 Release Date: 10/09/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Giovanni Gabrieli
    Performer:  Liuwe Tamminga,  Doron Sherwin,  Bruce Dickey
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  • 10.
    Giovanni Gabrieli: La Musica Per San Rocco / Sartori, Melodi Cantores, La Pifarescha
    Giovanni Gabrieli: La Musica Per San Rocco / Sartori, Melodi Cantores, La Pifarescha
    Label: Arts Music   Catalog: 47762 Release Date: 10/09/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Giovanni Gabrieli,  Bartolomeo Barbarino
    Conductor:  Elena Sartori
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Melodi Cantores,  La Pifarescha
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  • 11.
    All-Baroque Box (From Monteverdi To Bach) [50-CD Limited Edition]
    All-Baroque Box (From Monteverdi To Bach) [50-CD Limited Edition]
    Label: Archiv Produktion (Dg)   Catalog: 001719702 Release Date: 09/25/2012   Number of Discs: 50
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  George Frideric Handel,  Domenico Scarlatti,  Giovanni Battista Pergolesi  ... 
    Performer:  Peter Harvey,  Stephen Varcoe,  Anthony Rolfe Johnson,  Michael Chance  ... 
    Conductor:  John Eliot Gardiner,  Paul McCreesh,  Marc Minkowski,  Trevor Pinnock  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  English Baroque Soloists,  Monteverdi Choir,  Gabrieli Consort  ... 
    On sale! $169.98
    CD: $119.99
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  • 12.
    Baroque Treasures
    Baroque Treasures
    Label: Virgin Classics   Catalog: 02579 Release Date: 09/25/2012   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Claudio Monteverdi,  George Frideric Handel,  Johann Pachelbel,  Antonio Vivaldi  ... 
    Performer:  David Daniels,  Chiara Bianchini,  Janet See,  Christopher Krueger  ... 
    Conductor:  Emmanuelle Haďm,  Roger Norrington,  Andrew Parrott,  Richard Hickox  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Taverner Players,  Taverner Consort,  Concerto Cologne  ... 
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  • 13.
    Croce: Missa Sopra La Battaglia / Gemmani, Cappella Marciana
    Croce: Missa Sopra La Battaglia / Gemmani, Cappella Marciana
    Label: Newton Classics   Catalog: 8802139 Release Date: 09/25/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Giovanni Croce,  Adrian Willaert,  Andrea Gabrieli,  Giovanni Gabrieli  ... 
    Conductor:  Marco Gemmani
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Cappella Marciana
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  • 14.
    Sacred Treasures
    Sacred Treasures
    Label: Virgin Classics   Catalog: 02646 Release Date: 09/25/2012   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Marc-Antoine Charpentier,  Antonio Vivaldi,  Gregorio Allegri,  Claudio Monteverdi  ... 
    Performer:  Emma Kirkby,  Rogers Covey-Crump,  David Thomas,  Gérard Lesne  ... 
    Conductor:  William Christie,  Andrew Parrott,  Sir Philip Ledger,  Philippe Herreweghe  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Les Arts Florissants,  Taverner Players,  Taverner Consort  ... 
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  • 15.
    Giovanni Gabrieli, Heinrich Schutz: Polychoral Splendour
    Giovanni Gabrieli, Heinrich Schutz: Polychoral Splendour
    Label: Audite   Catalog: 92652 Release Date: 08/28/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Heinrich Schütz,  Giovanni Gabrieli
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Cappella Murensis,  Les Cornets Noirs
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  • 16.
    Cavazzoni, Gabrieli: Organ Works / De Pieri
    Cavazzoni, Gabrieli: Organ Works / De Pieri
    Label: Newton Classics   Catalog: 8802132 Release Date: 07/31/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Andrea Gabrieli,  Giovanni Gabrieli,  Marco Antonio Cavazzoni,  Girolamo Cavazzoni
    Performer:  Sergio De Pieri
    CD: $12.99
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  • 17.
    Liturgical Music From San Marco / Nova Cantica
    Liturgical Music From San Marco / Nova Cantica
    Label: Newton Classics   Catalog: 8802129 Release Date: 06/26/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Giovanni Gabrieli,  Giovanni Croce,  Hans Leo Hassler,  Antonino Biffi  ... 
    Conductor:  Paolo Cammozzo
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Complesso Vocale e Strumentale Antonio Lotti
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  • 18.
    A New Venetian Coronation 1595 / Mccreesh, Gabrieli Consort
    A New Venetian Coronation 1595 / Mccreesh, Gabrieli Consort
    Label: Signum U.k.   Catalog: 287 Release Date: 06/19/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Hans Leo Hassler,  Cesare Bendinelli,  Giovanni Gabrieli,  Andrea Gabrieli  ... 
    Conductor:  Paul McCreesh
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Gabrieli Consort
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  • 19.
    Tuba Mirum
    Tuba Mirum
    Label: Flora   Catalog: 2611 Release Date: 06/12/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Heinrich Schütz,  Antonio De Cabezón,  Antony Holborne,  John Dowland  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Les Sacqueboutiers
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  • 20.
    1612 - Italian Vespers / Hollingworth, I Fagiolini
    1612 - Italian Vespers / Hollingworth, I Fagiolini
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001679402 Release Date: 06/05/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Lodovico da Viadana,  Bartolomeo Barbarino,  Andrea Gabrieli,  Giovanni Palestrina  ... 
    Conductor:  Robert Hollingworth
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  I Fagiolini
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  • 21.
    Lo Sposalizio - Giovanni & Andrea Gabrieli, Etc / King, King's Consort
    Lo Sposalizio - Giovanni & Andrea Gabrieli, Etc / King, King's Consort
    Label: Hyperion   Catalog: 22072 Release Date: 04/10/2012   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Giovanni Gabrieli,  Andrea Gabrieli,  Claudio Monteverdi,  Lodovico da Viadana  ... 
    Performer:  William Carter,  David Miller,  Lynda Sayce,  James O'Donnell
    Conductor:  Robert King
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  King's Consort
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  • 22.
    Time Traveller - Italian Renaissance
    Time Traveller - Italian Renaissance
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 79017 Release Date: 04/10/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Giovanni Palestrina,  Giovanni Gabrieli,  Claudio Monteverdi,  Gregorio Allegri  ... 
    Performer:  Peter Harvey,  Charles Daniels,  Nicholas Robertson,  Tessa Bonner  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir David Willcocks,  Timothy Brown,  Paul McCreesh,  Andrew Parrott  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Gabrieli Consort,  Taverner Players
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  • 23.
    O Jesu Mi Dulcissime
    O Jesu Mi Dulcissime
    Label: Dal Segno   Catalog: 602 Release Date: 03/13/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Heinrich Schütz,  Giovanni Gabrieli,  Claudio Monteverdi,  Nicolo Corradini  ... 
    Performer:  Ashok Gupta,  Cat Paterson,  Jo [Soprano (vocal)] Golden,  Jonathan [Tenor (vocal)] Mayes  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Camerata Antica
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  • 24.
    The Italian Collection / Christophers, The Sixteen [5-CD Set]
    The Italian Collection / Christophers, The Sixteen [5-CD Set]
    Label: Coro   Catalog: 16099 Release Date: 03/13/2012   Number of Discs: 5
    Composer:  Domenico Scarlatti,  Antonio Caldara,  Andrea Gabrieli,  Claudio Monteverdi  ... 
    Performer:  Robin Jeffrey,  Elizabeth Kenny,  Ian Watson,  Ian Partridge  ... 
    Conductor:  Harry Christophers
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  The Sixteen
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  • 25.
    1600 / Alessandrini, Concerto Italiano
    1600 / Alessandrini, Concerto Italiano
    Label: Naive   Catalog: 30531 Release Date: 02/28/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Anonymous,  Giovanni Gabrieli,  Tarquinio Merula,  Giovanni de Macque  ... 
    Conductor:  Rinaldo Alessandrini
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Concerto Italiano
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