Search - Giovanni Gabrieli, Vittorio Negri, Edward Tarr Brass Ensemble :: Gabrieli in San Marco

Moving

D. Martin | 01/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of the two disks recorded at San Marco, I find this one the more enjoyable for its variety in pieces and arrangement of choral and instumental works; although it's been a while since original recording, I found the sound reproduction exceptional on a good system: Gabrieli's ephemeral sounds on his stage-moving!"

Recording problems not quite solved/more rehearsal?

Presbyteros | Glassboro, NJ USA | 01/11/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"These are some of the antiphonal pieces that Giovanni Gabrieli wrote for the two balconies of San Marco in Venice. The recording problems there must have been many, and in reality, were not quite solved. The antiphonal effects are there, but there is a lot of muddy sound, with the whole thing sounding as if through a veil. The performance is "old" style, but I could accept that from 1967. What bothers me is shaky ensemble, with performers unable to overcome the space. They never seem to have understood "watch, don't listen", which is crucial in strange spaces like San Marco. Maybe they couldn't get enough recording time in the space, but there is some terribly ragged ensemble. AND screaming tenors, who aren't quite tuned into the style (although I don't know who was, in those days). BUT, these are good examples of attainable performances of these pieces, and unless you are experienced in early music, and are performing these pieces (with large college forces, maybe), this is probably what your performaces will sound like. Cleaner, I hope."