Polychoral style
Term used for compositions in which the ensemble
(chorus with or without the orchestra) is divided
into several (usually two or three) distinct groups
performing singly (in alternation) as well as jointly. Italian
terms are "coro battente" and "coro
spezzato" (broken choir), the latter of which also implies separate
placement of the groups. The earliest known examples of this technique
are in the works of Ruffino Bartolucci, who
was musical director at the Cathedral of Padua from 1510 to 1520.
Willaert
used it in his
"salmi spezzati" (broken psalms)
found in publications of 1550 and 1557. The polychoral style was
cultivated by Andrea Gabrieli
and fully exploited by Giovanni
Gabrieli. It is a characteristic feature of the Venetian
school. Its development was furthered by the alternate playing
on the two organs of St. Mark's,
which were installed in the two apses of the cathedral.