Customer Reviews

The Glory of Gabrieli

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

One reviewer of this recording excoriates its sound and its interpretations, and suggests two more recent recordings of works by Gabriel.

What the reviewer FAILS to note is the place where this recording was made.

When this recording first appeared in three volumes on Columbia vinyl, it was the first recording of Gabrieli ever made in San Marco in Venice, the very room for which these pieces were written, and where, in fact, Gabrieli was Maestro da Capella for some years. In other words, this is sound Gabrieli himself would recognize. That cannot be said for studio recordings, or recordings made in other venues.

Moreover, the tempos--which the reviewer complains about--are dictated by the acoustics--the natural reverberation--in that extraordinary room. To be sure, the tempos ARE slower than they would be in a less-live venue. But were they any faster, all definition would be lost.

I have performed most of these works, either as a singer, as a brass player, or as a conductor. I have owned the vinyl recordings since they were first issued, and own the CD as well. I also own the recordings the previous reviewer suggests as superior.

Both of the more recent performances suggested by the previous reviewer are excellent, and should be a part of every respectable collection of recorded Gabriel

The admonition by the previous reviewer that Gabrieli should NEVER be performed this way would seem to suggest that Gabrieli should never be performed in an environment with acoustics like St. Mark's. That assertion seems fatuous to me. These works were, after all, written FOR St, Mark's, and the acoustics today are much the same as they were when the cathedral was build in the 12th century, or when Gabrieli wrote and performed there.

Thus there is an immense amount to be learned from the Biggs/Negri et al. performances as well, not the least of which is familiarity with the space for which the composer wrote.

While it is certainly true that some aspects of performance practice in this recording are considered outmoded (but in my decades of experience with this repertoire, ideas about performance are fickle), there are also things about these performances that have, to my ears, never been equaled.

If you want super-fast, virtuostic performances of Gabrieli, then look elsewhere. If you want to hear what Gabrieli sounds like when performed in St, Mark's, then this recording should be in your collection.

The beauty of the Mass movements is enough to justify the price.

And remember: this recording is nearly a half-century old!

These remain among my favorite recorded performances of this repertoire.

By ALL means, five stars!!

This recording first came to my attention in 1965 at a music appreciation exam, and I instantly went out and bought it. Much is written in these reviews about the sonic quality, and I agree, but I want to add the question of tempo and style. "In Ecclesiis" is arguably Gabrieli's most celebrated choral work. It's been done on almost every Gabrieli album, possibly due to the very easily obtainable score. Though it has generally been played on authentic instruments (cornettos & sackbuts) and small forces at a clipping pace, I think it loses its real grandeur. Here, there are large choirs, what sounds like modern brass, and E.Power Biggs cutting loose with every stop the organ can pull out, played at a tempo that is slow enough to savor the 15-voice chords. It is hard to imagine a major church feast in 1605 that DIDN'T sound like this, and if you look at the opulence of Venetian painting, architecture, manuscripts, and ducal processions, a very grand music would seem entirely congruent. The rest of the music is of an equal impact, if sung with slightly fewer voices. I like appropriate historical presentations, but this disc, more than most, seems to capture the ethos of the glory of Venice.

I purchased the LP recording back in the early 1970's and had been casually looking for a CD of this for a long time. The acoustics of San Marco are wonderful. Sony released an earlier set of Gabrieli choral works under the "Essential Classics" title with material that isn't nearly as good as what is on this CD.

While some reviewers noted its being a bit dated, I found the sound on a good system all I expected: Gabrieli on his own stage!

Even after listening to the preview clips, I wasn't sure whether buying this CD was a good idea; listening to it put all uncertainties to rest. This is a beautiful recording of some of Gabrieli's finest pieces. Listening to the music, you are able to hear the unique acoustics of San Marco - it's clear this was not recorded in a studio. The music doesn't sound distorted or warped: after the music has finished, you hear a faint but clear echo. The quality of the performance is stellar; it sounds as though this CD was recorded yesterday. Listening to music recorded in a studio is one thing; listening to music recorded in the place the composer intended it to be performed is something else.

Years ago I purchased this on a vinal record and was taken away by its incredible sound.... In its present CD it is even better than I remember. Having visited St. Mark's Basilica and seeing the actual place where the music was written for and hearing one of the only recordings ever made there in that magnificent space still inspires me.

This is a must for any one who enjoys renaissance polyphony.

I am very happy to have a new copy of one of my favorite CDs of all time--my old one was worn out. Great service too.

This is fabuloous music. The combination of organ and brass music and the use of multiple choirs gives these works puts chills down your spine. The notes with this album state that these pieces has a secular feel to them, even though they have religious titles and themes. I don't see it that way. This music reminds me of the days of the Latin High Mass, full of joy, praise and ceremony. The Deo Omnis Terra, the Hodie, and the Kyries are my favorite works. I like to turn the stereo up and let the music surround me.

I had this album on a vinyl disc when it first came out in the late 1960's or early 1970's. E. Power Biggs has always been a favorite artist of mine. It's wonderful to see some of these great albums of past years converted to the CD format.

I accidentally purchased a copy of this record on vinyl at a Goodwill store a few years ago along with a stack of other classical albums. It sat idly next to my record player for some months before I played it and was stricken with utter awe and humility for the compositional prowess of Gabrieli. The sweeping, tall, broad cinematic sound of his writing are astounding for his day. This is a must-have recording for all who call themselves human.

I am overjoyed at its release on CD, as the sound quality is GREATLY improved, and the CD contains almost twice as much material as the original LP release in 1968.

In the early hours today, I reviewed two much more recent CDs of vocal and instrumental music by Giovanni Gabrieli (1555-1612):

In Festo Sanctissimae Trinitatis, by La Fenice, Jean Tubery directing.
Music for San Rocco, by the Gabrieli Consort & Players, Paul McCreesh directing

This superannuated recording by organist E. Power Biggs and the Texas Boys Chorus is worth revisiting as an example of how Gabrieli should NEVER sound again - murky, bombastic, loud and slooow. There are MP3 samples if you want to compare.