Canzon à 8 was written for Brett Baker’s ‘1000 Trombones Birthday Bash’ at Bristol Cathedral in July 2013, and broadly based around the concept of similar music of the same name by Gabrieli. The use of two quartets optimising the cathedral space and acoustics keeps to the canonic principals of the original; however, the musical soundworld of this Canzon à 8 is lyrical and richly chromatic, with the ending paying homage to the gorgeous heterophonic techniques (one melodic line being followed by others in embellished unison but at different times) found in Gaelic psalm singing.
A treble clef version of this work is also available here.
