Donemus Webshop — Zucchini, Gregorio

The Benedictine monk Gregorio Zucchini (1540-1615/6) was an Italian composer of the late Renaissance and early Baroque.
Very little is known of his youth and education. He was born in Brescia (It.).
He took holy orders at a very early age (15?) in San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice.
In 1600 he sought permission from Pope Clemens VIII to spend some time in the Benedictine Abbey of San Paolo Fuori le Mura in Rome. Here he wrote his Harmonia Sacra. An other major work from his hand is Motectorum et Missarum Liber I (The First Book of Motets and Masses), subject of this very transcription, he dedicated it to Abbott Cyrillo Gasparino of Santa Maria Gratiarum.
He wrote several books all with sacred works: motets, masses, psalms. Only sacred music has survived. All in the traditional style of functional church music.
His first publications, however, contain rich polychoral works for three and four choirs. A Venetian influence must have existed. (With thanks to Wolfgang Wizenmann)
Although his compositions are partly homophonic, always very lively with many experiments on counterpoint and surprising movements.