Main content
This programme will be available shortly after broadcast

Glory Years

Following a devastating plague, Donald Macleod explores the glory years of the Venetian School and the music of the Gabrielis – Andrea and his nephew Giovanni.

By the beginning of the 16th century, Venice was in commercial decline, and the financial clout of the first and longest-lived of the European Empires was fading. However, just as the Republic’s political power was starting to ebb, artistic and cultural life began to flourish as never before. Venice became the centre of the cultural world. Over the course of this week, Donald Macleod explores this extraordinary period when music flourished throughout Venice’s streets and in the churches, palaces and public buildings which had sprung up all across the city, and the composers whose work came to define the age – the Venetian School.

In Thursday programme, after the devastating effects of the plague which swept through Venice, Donald explores as the musical life of the Republic resurrects itself into what are arguably the glory years of the Venetian School, with the music of the Gabrielis at the fore – Andrea Gabrieli and his nephew Giovanni. Also, a new Doge comes to power.

Giovanni Gabrieli
Sacrae symphoniae: Canzon III a 4
Berlin Brass
Andreas Sieling, conductor

Andrea Gabrieli (arr. for 2 organs)
Egredimini videte
Luigi Ferdinando Tagliavini, organ
Liuwe Tamminga, organ

Giovanni Gabrieli (arr. for 2 organs)
Canzon duodecimi toni
Luigi Ferdinando Tagliavini, organ
Liuwe Tamminga, organ

Andrea Gabrieli
Ecco Vinegia Bella
Concordia

Zarlino
Pater noster, Ave Maria
Ensemble Plus Ultra
Michael Noone, director

Andrea Gabrieli
Gloria a 16
Gabrieli
Paul McCreesh, director

Giovanni Gabrieli
Magnificat C75
Ex Cathedra
His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts
Concerto Palatino
Jeffrey Skidmore, conductor

Baldassare Donato
Viva sempre
Angelo Branduardi, singer
Ensemble Scintille di Musica
Francesca Torelli, director

Giovanni Croce
In spiritu humilitatis
Complesso Vocale e Streumentale Antonio Lotti
Paolo Camozzo, director

Giovanni Gabrieli
Deus qui beatum Marcum
Gabrieli
Paul McCreesh, director

Release date:

59 minutes

Broadcast

  • Thu 8 Oct 2026 16:00

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.