2018. 10. 17.

Gabrieli: Complete Keyboard Music - Brilliant Classics

About this release

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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