Review

Giovanni Gabrieli
Gloria:

Arranged by David Mathie

6 trumpets, 6 trombones; horn substitutions included for trumpet 2, 4, 6, and trombone 1, 3, 5

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2008
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 6+ brass (choir)

Giovanni Gabrieli’s music is well known to most brass players. Gloria comes from the Sacrae Symphoniae of 1597. This edition calls for three choirs of 2 trumpets and 2 trombones each, with horn substitutions available for the bottom trumpet and top trombone parts. The three choirs perform in a variety of antiphonal patterns primarily echoing at 2 beats, 1 measure, and 2 measures, and occasionally unite in homophonic texture. This edition is minimally edited, with tempos, dynamic makings, and a small amount of suggested articulation.  

The range of Gloria is quite conservative. The highest note in any of the trumpet parts is a written f2 found in trumpet 1 and 3. The lowest trumpet note is a written a found in trumpet 4 and 6. Trombones 1, 3, and 5 range from C to d1, with one e-flat1 found in trombone 1. Trombones 2 and 4 range from F to b-flat, and trombone 6 ranges from D to a; there is only one low D that is easily taken up an octave if necessary. Any of the trombone parts can be played on euphonium and trombone 2, 4, and 6 are playable by a tuba player with a good upper register.

Gloria opens in 4/4 meter with a suggested tempo of mm=88. It shifts into 3/4 meter, in one, with a ratio of half note = dotted half, and then ends in the original time and tempo. The rhythms are primarily half notes, quarter notes, and eighth notes with some sixteenth notes, dotted rhythms and minor syncopations. The range and technique requirements of this arrangement make it accessible to good junior high school level ensembles. The quality of the musical content makes it worthwhile for college and professional ensembles.

-Frank Gazda
Delaware State University