A celebration of Andrea Gabrieli with Philip Thorby on 27th September 2025 + AGM

The music

This workshop to mark the 540th anniversary of the death of Andrea Gabrieli will explore some of his 12-part works and, depending on forces, his 16-part Gloria. We welcome singers and the following instruments: cornetts, sackbuts, recorders. curtals. all strings and continuo. A=440

Instrumentalists please note that there will not be C-clefs for all the pieces, and continuo players will be working from scores or figured bass parts.

Music will be provided on the day

There will be a short AGM at lunchtime.

Andrea Gabrieli

Marking the 540th anniversary of the death of Andrea Gabrieli, pupil of Orlandus Lassus and Maestro di Cappella of St Marks in Venice. Andrea was much more than just the uncle of Giovanni! Even in his large-scale works, Andrea’s music has an intimacy and subtlety which reflect his great teacher, Lassus.

We will explore some of Andrea’s twelve-part works, including the psalm setting Benedicam Dominum and Magnificat and the masterly hymn to music Cantiam di Dio, and (if the forces are suitable) his immense, four-choir, sixteen-part Gloria.

Philip Thorby is a regular and popular tutor and we are delighted to welcome him back again – he is well known as one of the country’s leading performers and teachers in the field of Renaissance and Baroque music. He founded and directed the ensemble “Musica Antiqua of London” which was at the forefront of research-based performance of renaissance music, a passion he is now exploring further with professional and amateur musicians in many different contexts, including courses held each year in Venice and elsewhere.

He is Emeritus Fellow in Early Music at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, London.

Philip is particularly well known to MEMF members, having delivered many inspiring workshops. His series of 4 lectures on Venice in the early 1500s present a fascinating view of the city – with the lives of composers Ganassi and Willaert intertwined with notable names of the day. These lectures were delivered during the pandemic and can be found on our website. https://memf.org.uk/home/philip-thorby-lectures/

Timetable for the day

10.00              Registration and drinks

10.30              Morning session (with a short comfort break)

1.00                Short AGM followed by lunch (bring your own or use local pubs and cafes)

2.00                Afternoon session

3.30 approx   Tea break

4.00                Final session

5.00                Finish

Venue   Solihull Methodist Church, Blossomfield Road, Solihull, B91 1LG

Solihull Methodist Church Hall is situated close to the centre of Solihull in the West Midlands. It is right next to the town’s railway station, at the junction of Blossomfield Road and Station Approach. There is a large car park, including a number of dedicated disabled parking spaces, with the car park entrance in Station Approach. As you enter the car park the Church Hall is ahead of you – we are not in the church on the left. If using a SatNav to direct you, the postcode is B91 1LG.

NB If approaching from the west along Blossomfield Road there is no left turn into Station Approach. Either go completely around the roundabout back the way you came and  turn immediately right into Station Approach, or, more easily take the first exit at the roundabout into Streetsbrook Road and then turn left into the other end of Station Approach at the traffic lights (by the Fire Station).

https://www.solihull-methodist.org.uk/where-are-we/

Neither MEMF or the venue can accept any responsibility for property lost or damaged.

Booking is now open, click here.