Oltremontano & Cappella Cracoviensis

‘Surrexit Christus...’ resounds the Easter Sunday proclamation: Christ is risen. The commemoration of such miracles requires the most festive music. And so at every Christmas and Easter celebration and on every Venetian high day, the balconies of the Basilica di San Marco were filled with musicians, who played for the greater glory of God, the Blessed Virgin, the Apostle Mark… and the powerful city state itself, its Doge and its political elite. Together with their illustrious guests, these latter were only too happy to immerse themselves in the heavenly sound of Gabrieli's stunning polychoral music, which was especially suited to Venice’s unique architecture. For a long time the San Marco ensemble was led by its wind players – the strings only took over later – and that is echoed in its richly coloured music, which can feature up to seven trombones and cornets. This is perfect for Oltremontano and Wim Becu, who have been at the top of the period brass world for years. They take us from the anxiety of Good Friday to the jubilation of Easter.

The artists thank the Biblioteka Jagiellonska in Kraków, which holds the original edition of Gabrieli’s Sacrae symphoniae.