Hodie Christus Natus Est

Giovanni Gabrieli (ca.1555-1612) was born in Venice and instructed in music by his uncle, Andrea Gabrieli, an organist at St. Mark’s Cathedral. Giovanni eventually became an organist at St. Mark’s. As a composer, he was considered the greatest of the Venetian Masters. The use of cori spezzati(divided choirs) was frequent at St. Mark’s, as two separate choirs were placed with the organs on opposite sides of the church. This motet, Hodie Christus Natus Est, features a mixture of duple and triple rhythms, the text being an antiphon for Magnificat at Vespers, feast of the Nativity of our Lord.