The Gabrieli’s, uncle Andrea and nephew Giovanni, are usually credited with the invention of music for double-choir. Although the did inherent the idea from Willaert, they were the ones to perfect this genre indeed. It is closely linked to the Venetian San Marco cathedral which has two balconies opposite each other, thus enabling echoes and other effects between two choirs.
This release contains polychoral music by the Gabrielis and some other composers they taught in Venice, such as Claudio Merulo, organist at San Marco’s for over nearly thirty years, is represented by four pieces.
The Chamber Choir of Europe is conducted by Nicol Matt in elated performances on this SACD.
