Giovanni Gabrieli’s Canzona No. 1 “La Spiritata”

Giovanni Gabrieli’s Canzona Per Sonare No. 1 “La Spiritata”, is one of many canzonas Giovanni Gabrieli composed throughout his lifetime. Canzona No. 1, was initially published as a part of a collection of canzonas which contained works by Gabrieli, Girolamo Frescobaldi and others. Giovanni Gabrieli was fascinated by the acoustical resonance of voices and instruments within cathedral spaces. He composed his pieces to maximize the resonance of the instruments and the space in which they were performed. 

The musical form of a canzona in the renaissance, was derived from the Franco-Flemish polyphonic song form, known as the chanson. Canzonas would later influence the evolution of the fugue in the baroque era. In Giovanni Gabrieli’s Canzona No. 1 “La Spiritata”, the melody is frequently traded between voices within the ensemble. This canonic and echo like effect can be heard in many pieces throughout the baroque and renaissance eras. Gabrieli’s canzonas were often performed by various combinations of trombones and trumpets.

Brass Over Bridges | Giovanni Gabrieli’s Canzona Per Sonare No. 1 “La Spiritata”

Matthew Ebisuzaki - Trumpet

Ari Micich - Trumpet

Margarite Waddell - French Horn

Esther Armedariz - Trombone

Lucas Jensen - Bass Trombone