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Donald Macleod follows the origin story of Venetian luminary Andrea Gabrieli, and the quest for his dream job.

Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli share a name that dominated Venetian music during the late 16th and early 17th century. Both uncle and nephew were organists and composers, and their music was linked inextricably with the exceptional city in which they lived and worked. From the organ loft of St Mark’s Basilica to the resplendent palazzos of merchants and noblemen, they provided the soundtrack to Venice’s golden age, with its numerous feast days and celebrations. But together, they would also pioneer an ambitious way of writing choral music - playing with texture and architecture– that would eventually echo beyond the Venetian waterways and profoundly affect the music of the future.

Today, we meet uncle Andrea - a humble parish church organist who has his sights set on the best instrument in the city. But with one rejection already under his belt, how can he prove he’s got what it takes? When he finds the solution, it's one he'll use to help someone else waiting in the wings - his young nephew Giovanni.

Andrea Gabrieli: Benedictus dominus Deus sabbaoth
I Fagiolini
Robert Hollingworth, director

Andrea Gabrieli: Fantasia allegra del duodecima toni
Andrea Buccarella, harpsichord

Andrea Gabrieli: Hor chel nel suo ben seno; Vaghi augelletti; Angel del terzo ciel; O suave a mio cor dolce altena
Weser-Renaissance Bremen
Manfred Cordes, conductor

Andrea Gabrieli: Aria della battaglia
Cappella de Ministrers
Carles Magraner, conductor

Andrea Gabrieli: Laudate dominum omnes gentes a 5; Laudate Dominum in sanctis eius a 10; Laudate Dominum
Ensemble Officium
Ensemble Gabinetto Armonico
Wilfried Rombach, conductor

Giovanni Gabrieli: O magnum mysterium
La Cappella Ducale
Roland Wilson, conductor

Produced by Amelia Parker for Â鶹ԼÅÄ Audio Wales and West