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"The [Venetian] church of St. Mark was . . . so full of people that one could not move a step . . . a new platform was built for the singers, adjoining . . . there was a portable organ, in addition to the two famous organs of the church, and the other instruments made the most excellent music, in which the best singers and players that can be found in this region took part." —FRANCESCO SANSOVINO

Key Points

  • Music at St. Mark's, in Venice, featured the use of multiple choirs (polychoral) singing together and in alternation (antiphonal).
  • Giovanni Gabrieli, choirmaster at St. Mark's, was the first composer to specify instruments and dynamics in music.

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