Customer Reviews

Gabrieli · Monteverdi · Vivaldi - Venetian Church Music / Taverner Consort, Choir & Players · Andrew Parrott

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This fantastic collection of music is probably one of the best introductions to Venetian Baroque (early to late) on offer.
The first disc, devoted to Giovanni Gabrieli, is nothing short of amazing. Cornetts, Baroque violins, tenor cornetts, sackbuts and multiple organs (try the first track - the huge Dulcis Jesu patris imago à 20 voci) can be heard on this disc and they are all played with great panache, style and, most importantly, expression. I bought both of these discs when they were issued on EMI Reflex over ten years ago - and I have never stopped loving these magnificent and colourful performances.

If you want only one recording of Giovanni Gabrieli's music - then this might be the one for you! The other might be the Gabrieli Consort's 'A Venetian Coronation'? (if you want two Gabrieli recordings in your collection!)

The second disc contains a very tasty selection of music by Legrenzi, Monteverdi, Vivaldi and, again, Giovanni Gabrieli (the star of the show!).

If you want to know what 8 cornetts and 16 sackbuts sound like - then this is the place to go! The singing and playing from all concerned is excellent.

I love this CD and I bought this reissue because my old EMI CDs were getting a bit old!

This is a great CD if you want a sampler of the music of the composers who tickled the Doge's ears in Venice from the 16th-18th centuries, without the chants and sequences that burden many reconstructions. Most of the music is by the Gabrieli's or Monteverdi, but Vivaldi, Lotti and others are represented. This disc is generously filled. I really like it.

Who else but Andrew Parrott?! The fabulous adventurer in the field of early music, Parrott has time and again unearthed unknown masterpieces, shedding light on their original luster through a keen sense of the historical settings, employment of the proper historic instruments & period vocal style, and his own inspired musicianship. Throughout the 2nd half of the 20th century music lovers like me knew the works of Gabrieli through the appropriations by well-meaning ensembles of modern brass instruments: Chicago Symphony Brass, Canadian Brass, etc. Parrott has been the first to perform and record many of these works with early 17th century instruments, providing a restored sonic image for the 21st century connoisseur. Bravo! Encore, please!

AN OUTSTANDING VARIETY OF EARLY MUSIC
Polychoral music-music written for several groups of musicians separated spatially-was not peculiar to Venice, but it was associated with the Basilica of San Marco and ceremonial events in the Venetian cultural calendar.

Chordal writing reached its peak in the polychoral works of Giovanni Gabrieli(1555-1612), the principal church composer in Italy of the progressive development. He not only increased the number of choirs to four and the total pitch range to over four octaves, but also juxtaposed passages of conventional rhythm with strikingly jagged syncopated motifs. These dramatic contrasts were further intensified by occasional chromatic harmony and unusual dissonances and, more significantly, by the use of instruments that alternated or combined with the voices. All of these traits are well demonstrated in the music on disc 1 of this set. His music is wonderfully exciting!

Upon his death, Monteverdi succeeded him, and took his own direction musically; much different from Gabriei. It is not just that their styles are different, but the instrumentation is much different as you will hear upon listening to disc 2.

Two subsequent directors of music represented here are Legrenzi and Lotti, both primarily opera composers.

Vivaldi had no direct connection with the basilica; he worked at the 'Pieta', and his motet 'Clarae stellae' was written for a 'Signora Gertruda, a singer who sang at the Pieta. This is one of the most attractive pieces on disc 2, and is often recorded by countertenors (altos)but on this disc is sung by Randi Stene, mezzo soprano, who sings it quite well. Andreas Scholl has recorded this, and I do personally prefer Scholl's countertenor quality for this particular piece.

Monteverdi's 'Currite populi' is another favorite of mine, and its performed very well on this recording.

There is just so much to enjoy on these two discs for the early music lover. The instruments are skillfully played and the styles of the various composers are adhered to all the time. The balance between the voices and the instruments is perfect as one might expect from Parrott's performers. The soloists: Emily van Evera (soprano), Randi Stene (mezzo) and Jeffrey Thomas (tenor) all sang with the correct emotional investment. Certainly worth listening to!

When I purchased this recording, I had not yet had the pleasure of owning an Andrew Parrott/Taverner Consort recording. I was so impressed! Andrew really excercises an understanding of this genre, an understanding that I haven't often seen. In particular I was quite pleased with this rendintion of Gabrieli's "In ecclesiis" (although the Bass, I don't know his name, is too lacking in volume). Other than that, I just adore this CD set. I also recommend Andrew Parrot for anything predating Bach (*not including Bach!). There is a 5 CD of particular interest and quality called "From Monteverdi to Vivaldi" by this same ensemble that you might consider purchasing instead of this set (almost exact same price, and one of the CDs- the better of the two in this set- is included in the 5CD set).

An excellent compilation of early church music performed beautifully by the Taverner Consort, Choir, and Players, and conducted by Andrew Parrott. The recording is clear and the sound well balanced. It is also an exceptional value - 30 tracts (2 1/2 hours of music) on 2 CDs for less that $10.

The music captures the praise due to God. The instruments and voices give glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Venetian Church Music?....never thought I'd be listening to that, anyway this music is for those who seek it out, If thats not you this probably won't interest you (but you can try some renaissance/baroque experimental listening to see if you'd like it!). If your into this though, this is a good deal.