Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 01 | 20120416 | For the whole of the second half of the 16th C, the name of Gabrieli dominated the musical life of Venice. Andrea and nephew Giovanni Gabrieli presided over public music-making at a time when the city was beginning to emerge as one of the most important centres of musical life in Europe. In the first programme, Donald Macleod focuses on the madrigals produced by Andrea, written primarily for the countless feast days held in the City every year. Donald Macleod focuses on the madrigals produced by Andrea Gabrieli. | |
| 2012 | 02 | 20120417 | Donald Macleod presents organ works and sacred vocal music written for St Mark's, Venice. | |
| 2012 | 03 | 20120418 | Donald Macleod presents works written for the unique space of St Mark's Basilica. | |
| 2012 | 04 | 20120419 | Donald Macleod introduces music from a recreation of the feast of San Rocco in 1608. | |
| 2012 | 05 LAST | 20120420 | Donald Macleod introduces music by the Gabrielis to mark Venetian high days and holidays. | |
| 2024 | 01 | Uncle And Nephew | 20240318 | Donald Macleod follows the origin story of Venetian luminary Andrea Gabrieli, and the quest for his dream job. Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli share a name that dominated Venetian music during the late 16th and early 17th century. Both uncle and nephew were organists and composers, and their music was linked inextricably with the exceptional city in which they lived and worked. From the organ loft of St Mark's Basilica to the resplendent palazzos of merchants and noblemen, they provided the soundtrack to Venice's golden age, with its numerous feast days and celebrations. But together, they would also pioneer an ambitious way of writing choral music - playing with texture and architecture– that would eventually echo beyond the Venetian waterways and profoundly affect the music of the future. Today, we meet uncle Andrea - a humble parish church organist who has his sights set on the best instrument in the city. But with one rejection already under his belt, how can he prove he's got what it takes? When he finds the solution, it's one he'll use to help someone else waiting in the wings - his young nephew Giovanni. Andrea Gabrieli: Benedictus dominus Deus sabbaoth I Fagiolini Robert Hollingworth, director Andrea Gabrieli: Fantasia allegra del duodecima toni Andrea Buccarella, harpsichord Andrea Gabrieli: Hor chel nel suo ben seno; Vaghi augelletti; Angel del terzo ciel; O suave a mio cor dolce altena Weser-Renaissance Bremen Manfred Cordes, conductor Andrea Gabrieli: Aria della battaglia Cappella de Ministrers Carles Magraner, conductor Andrea Gabrieli: Laudate dominum omnes gentes a 5; Laudate Dominum in sanctis eius a 10; Laudate Dominum Ensemble Officium Ensemble Gabinetto Armonico Wilfried Rombach, conductor Giovanni Gabrieli: O magnum mysterium La Cappella Ducale Roland Wilson, conductor Produced by Amelia Parker for BBC Audio Wales and West Donald Macleod follows Andrea Gabrieli's quest for his dream job Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Venetian luminaries Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli. Today, we follow Andrea's origin story and the quest for his dream job |
| 2024 | 02 | High Office | 20240319 | Donald Macleod explores the groundbreaking music the Gabrielis wrote for St Mark's Basilica. Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli share a name that dominated Venetian music during the late 16th and early 17th century. Both uncle and nephew were organists and composers, and their music was linked inextricably with the exceptional city in which they lived and worked. From the organ loft of St Mark's Basilica to the resplendent palazzos of merchants and noblemen, they provided the soundtrack to Venice's golden age, with its numerous feast days and celebrations. But together, they would also pioneer an ambitious way of writing choral music - playing with texture and architecture – that would eventually echo beyond the Venetian waterways and profoundly affect the music of the future. Today, we hear about the music that both Gabrielis wrote for the glorious ducal chapel of St Mark's, and the amazing sonic innovations they came up with for that space and beyond. They had an important job to do - to write fresh, impressive music for a constant stream of state and church occasions - and they rose to that challenge. Theirs was the most complex music Venetians had heard yet - and it offered listeners their first experience of surround sound. Andrea Gabrieli: Ricercar del settimo tuono Hesperion XXI Jordi Savall, director Giovanni Gabrieli: Deus qui beatum Marcum Gabrieli Consort Paul McCreesh, director Andrea Gabrieli: Sancta et immaculata; Laetare Jerusalem Ensemble Officium Wilfried Rombach, conductor Andrea Gabrieli: Maria Magdalenae et altera Maria; Maria stabat ad monumentum I Cantori di San Marco Marco Gemmani, conductor Andrea Gabrieli: Kyrie a 5; Christe a 8; Kyrie a 12; Gloria a 16 Paul McCreesh, conductor Giovanni Gabrieli: Exaudi me domine a 16 Les Cris de Paris Geoffroy Jourdain, conductor Giovanni Gabrieli: Hic est filius Dei (arr. Timothy Higgins) a 18 National Brass Ensemble (USA) Gail Williams, conductor Giovanni Gabrieli: Hodie Christus natus est Dunedin Consort John Butt, director Produced by Amelia Parker for BBC Audio Wales and West Donald Macleod explores the Gabrielis' groundbreaking music for St Mark's Basilica Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Venetian luminaries Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli. Today, we climb up to the organ loft in their workplace of St Mark's Basilica |
| 2024 | 03 | Year From Hell | 20240320 | Donald Macleod takes us through the most trying and tragic year in Giovanni Gabrieli's life. Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli share a name that dominated Venetian music during the late 16th and early 17th century. Both uncle and nephew were organists and composers, and their music was linked inextricably with the exceptional city in which they lived and worked. From the organ loft of St Mark's Basilica to the resplendent palazzos of merchants and noblemen, they provided the soundtrack to Venice's golden age, with its numerous feast days and celebrations. But together, they would also pioneer an ambitious way of writing choral music - playing with texture and architecture– that would eventually echo beyond the Venetian waterways and profoundly affect the music of the future. Today, it's all about 1585 – a year where the rug is suddenly pulled out from under Giovanni's feet. Fresh into a new job with his favourite unce, things are off to a flying start. But within a few months, his life morphs into a tragedy - and a courtroom drama - all whilst trying to keep up with a mountain of composing duties. Giovanni Gabrieli: Surrexit pastor bonus The Monteverdi Choir English Baroque soloists John Eliot Gardiner, conductor Giovanni Gabrieli: Sonata pian e forte Musica Fiata Roland Wilson, conductor Giovanni Gabrieli: Udite, chiari e generosi figli The King's Consort Andrea Gabrieli: Psalmi Davidici, Psalmo 31:Beati quórum remissae; Delictum meum cognitum tibi feci; Tu es refugium meum a tribulatione; In camo et fraeno Concerto Palatino Bruce Dickey, conductor Giovanni Gabrieli: Audite príncipes Gabrieli Consort and Players Paul McCreesh, conductor Giovanni Gabrieli: Litaniae Beatae Mariae Virginis Choir of King's College, Cambridge His Majesty's Sagbutts and Cornetts Stephen Cleobury, conductor Andrea Gabrieli: O salutaris hostia Corvus Consort Ferio Saxophone Quartet Freddie Crowley, director Produced by Amelia Parker for BBC Audio Wales and West Donald Macleod journeys through Giovanni Gabrieli's annus horribilis Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Venetian luminaries Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli. Today, Giovanni's in at the deep end – holding down a new job amidst family tragedy |
| 2024 | 04 | Side Hustles | 20240321 | Donald Macleod gives us a glimpse into Giovanni's little black book – and his various moneymaking schemes. Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli share a name that dominated Venetian music during the late 16th and early 17th century. Both uncle and nephew were organists and composers, and their music was linked inextricably with the exceptional city in which they lived and worked. From the organ loft of St Mark's Basilica to the resplendent palazzos of merchants and noblemen, they provided the soundtrack to Venice's golden age, with its numerous feast days and celebrations. But together, they would also pioneer an ambitious way of writing choral music - playing with texture and architecture– that would eventually echo beyond the Venetian waterways and profoundly affect the music of the future. Today, we get an insight into Giovanni's side hustles. Following the death of uncle Andrea, he's the new head of the family with an intimidating list of outgoings. Thankfully, he's got a keen eye for a lucrative contact and an opportunity to make a few extra ducats, from taking on a second job as organist of San Rocco, to writing musical wedding favours and winding up as a personal shopper for far-flung royals. Giovanni Gabrieli: Cantate Domino a 8 La Cappella Ducale Musica Fiata Roland Wilson, conductor Giovanni Gabrieli: Sonata con tre violini - XXI Ensemble Diderot Johannes Pramsohler, violin/director Giovanni Gabrieli: Timor et tremor Canzon primi toni a 10 Giovanni Gabrieli: Jubilate Deo Chorwerk Ruhr Cappella de la Torre Florian Helgarth, conductor Giovanni Gabrieli: Sonata a 22; Magnificat a 33 Gabrieli Consort and Players Paul McCreesh, conductor Giovanni Gabrieli: Sonata octavi toni a 12; Omnes gentes Giovanni Gabrieli: Sacri di Giove augei, sacre Fenici I Fagiolini Robert Hollingworth, conductor Produced by Amelia Parker for BBC Audio Wales and West Donald Macleod looks at Giovanni's little black book and moneymaking ventures Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Venetian luminaries Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli. Today, a glimpse into Giovanni's little black book, and his moneymaking schemes |
| 2024 | 05 LAST | Magnificence | 20240322 | Donald Macleod looks at the twilight years of Giovanni Gabrieli's life, and how his influence as a teacher went on to shape his legacy. Composer of the Week is one of the longest-running strands on the BBC, first heard on the airwaves during the Second World War on the 2nd of August 1943. The first composer to be featured was Mozart – and today, the programme tells the stories of both well-known and rediscovered composers across classical music, jazz, contemporary and beyond. Donald Macleod celebrates its 80th anniversary with highlights and behind-the-scenes stories from his encounters with some of our greatest living composers. Across the week, he looks back on 10 memorable interviews from his nearly 25 years in the presenter's chair, showcasing the range of musical styles and personalities he's encountered. Today, we hear the exquisite music Giovanni wrote in the final years of his life, and how his years of hard working and networking eventually earn him the title of “magnifico ? – almost unheard of for a man from his artisan background. Nevertheless, he would have still been lost to history within a few years of his death – if it weren't for the devotion of his composition pupils. Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon XXVIII a 8 “Sol sol la fa mi ? London Symphony Brass Eric Crees, conductor Giovanni Gabrieli:Buccinate in neomenio tuba Gabrieli Consort Paul McCreesh, conductor Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon per sonar primi toni a 10; Canzon a 4 “La Spiritata ?; Canzon 3 a 6 Hesperion XX Jordi Savall, director Giovanni Gabrieli: Maria virgo a 10; Canzon in echo duodecimo toni; Hic est filius Dei Gesualdo Consort Amsterdam Oltremontano Wim Becu, director Giovanni Gabrieli: Quem vidistis pastores Monteverdi Choir Philip Jones Brass Ensemble John Eliot Gardiner, conductor Giovanni Gabrieli: In eclesiis I Fagiolini Robert Hollingworth, conductor Produced by Amelia Parker for BBC Audio Wales and West Donald Macleod looks at the twilight years and legacy of Giovanni Gabrieli Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Venetian luminaries Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli. Today, Giovanni's late years, and how his influence as a teacher shaped his legacy Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli share a name that dominated Venetian music during the late 16th and early 17th century. Both uncle and nephew were organists and composers, and their music was linked inextricably with the exceptional city in which they lived and worked. From the organ loft of St Mark's Basilica to the resplendent palazzos of merchants and noblemen, they provided the soundtrack to Venice's golden age, with its numerous feast days and celebrations. But together, they would also pioneer an ambitious way of writing choral music - playing with texture and architecture – that would eventually echo beyond the Venetian waterways and profoundly affect the music of the future. Today, we hear the exquisite music Giovanni wrote in the final years of his life, and how his years of hardworking and networking eventually earn him the title of “magnifico ? – almost unheard of for a man from his artisan background. Nevertheless, he would have still been lost to history within a few years of his death – if it weren't for the devotion of his composition pupils. Donald Macleod looks at the twilight years and legacy of Giovanni Gabrieli. Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Venetian luminaries Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli. Today, Giovanni's late years, and how his influence as a teacher shaped his legacy. |