What is a brass quintet? A brass quintet is a chamber ensemble composed of five brass instruments. Most commonly, the instruments of the brass quintet are two trumpets, a french horn, trombone and a tuba or a bass trombone. This instrumental configuration of the brass quintet evolved from brass ensembles and brass bands over hundreds of years, becoming standardized in the middle of the twentieth century.

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.