The Venetian School

Donald Macleod explores the rise and fall of the Venetian School, the group of composers who helped make sixteenth-century Venice one of the musical capitals of Europe. As the Republic's political and commercial influence began to wane, its cultural life flourished. Music spilled out from churches, confraternities, publishing houses and civic celebrations, while St Mark's Basilica became the focal point of a distinctive and influential musical tradition. From the arrival of Adrian Willaert to the contributions of Cipriano de Rore, Andrea Gabrieli, Giovanni Gabrieli and their contemporaries, Donald traces a period of extraordinary innovation, rivalry and artistic ambition, set against the ceremonies, politics and myths of the Most Serene Republic.

Presented by Donald Macleod

Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Audio Wales

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for The Venetian School: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00320zw

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z

Music featured includes:

Giovanni Gabrieli: O Magnum Mysterium

Claudio Merulo: Benedicam Dominum

Francesco Canova da Milano: Fantasia No. 19 "Bellissima"

Adrian Willaert: Vecchie Letrose

Adrian Willaert: Infelix ego

Claudio Merulo: Toccata VIII