Ave Marias for May
The month of May has long been associated with devotion to Mary, the Mother of God. Every day this May, we will share with our visitors some of our favourite recordings of the traditional prayer, Ave Maria ('Hail Mary'). Some will be familiar to you, others may be less so. We hope you enjoy them!
The month of May has long been associated with devotion to Mary, the Mother of God. Every day this May, we will share with our visitors some of our favourite recordings of the traditional prayer, Ave Maria ('Hail Mary'). Some will be familiar to you, others may be less so. We hope you enjoy them!
31 May
This 'Ave Maria' is a powerful one, from Francis Poulenc's opera, Les Dialogues des Carmélites. The opera tells the true story of a Carmelite convent whose nuns are condemned to death during the French Revolution. It is sung here by Karen Cargill (Mother Marie) and Adrianne Pieczonka (Marie Lidoine).
This 'Ave Maria' is a powerful one, from Francis Poulenc's opera, Les Dialogues des Carmélites. The opera tells the true story of a Carmelite convent whose nuns are condemned to death during the French Revolution. It is sung here by Karen Cargill (Mother Marie) and Adrianne Pieczonka (Marie Lidoine).
30 May
Heitor Villa-Lobos was Brazil's greatest composer. This Ave Maria is one of at least 26 that he composed. It is sung here by the Brussels Chamber Choir.
Heitor Villa-Lobos was Brazil's greatest composer. This Ave Maria is one of at least 26 that he composed. It is sung here by the Brussels Chamber Choir.
29 May
Sir Karl Jenkins is one of the most performed living composers in the world. His Ave Maria is performed here by the choral group Polyphony, directed by Stephen Layton.
Sir Karl Jenkins is one of the most performed living composers in the world. His Ave Maria is performed here by the choral group Polyphony, directed by Stephen Layton.
28 May
This lyrical "Ave Maria" from Jules Massenet's opera, Thaïs, is sung here by Franco-Lebanese soprano, Rima Tawil, with the Danau Philharmonie Wien, conducted by Manfred Müssauer.
This lyrical "Ave Maria" from Jules Massenet's opera, Thaïs, is sung here by Franco-Lebanese soprano, Rima Tawil, with the Danau Philharmonie Wien, conducted by Manfred Müssauer.
27 May
British composer, Robert Prizeman, composed the theme music for BBC's Songs of Praise, and was music director to the programme for many years. His arresting Ave Maria is performed here by Finnish ensemble, Lauluyhtye Luminos.
British composer, Robert Prizeman, composed the theme music for BBC's Songs of Praise, and was music director to the programme for many years. His arresting Ave Maria is performed here by Finnish ensemble, Lauluyhtye Luminos.
25 May
Schubert's is one of the great "Ave Marias". Andrea Bocelli gives a deeply moving rendition here.
Schubert's is one of the great "Ave Marias". Andrea Bocelli gives a deeply moving rendition here.
May 24
Robert Parsons was an English composer of the Tudor period who was active during the reigns of King Edward VI, Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I. His “Ave Maria” is performed here by the choir of St. John's College, Cambridge
Robert Parsons was an English composer of the Tudor period who was active during the reigns of King Edward VI, Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I. His “Ave Maria” is performed here by the choir of St. John's College, Cambridge
May 23
Today we feature Rachmaninov's "Ave Maria", sung here by the North Dakota State University Concert Choir.
Today we feature Rachmaninov's "Ave Maria", sung here by the North Dakota State University Concert Choir.
May 22
This very contemporary 12-voice motet by American composer, Cary Boyce, is conducted here by Carmen Tellez with Aguava New Music Studio and the Indiana University Contemporary Vocal Ensemble.
This very contemporary 12-voice motet by American composer, Cary Boyce, is conducted here by Carmen Tellez with Aguava New Music Studio and the Indiana University Contemporary Vocal Ensemble.
May 21
Malcolm Archer is an English organist, conductor and composer, and is Director of Music at Winchester College. His lilting “Ave Maria” is performed here by the Chorgemeinschaft Exsultate.
Malcolm Archer is an English organist, conductor and composer, and is Director of Music at Winchester College. His lilting “Ave Maria” is performed here by the Chorgemeinschaft Exsultate.
May 20
Adapted from an earlier composition by the late Renaissance/early Baroque composer Giulio Caccini, this lovely Ave Maria by contemporary Russian composer, Vladimir Vavilov, is sublimely sung here by the great Latvian soprano, Inesa Galante.
Adapted from an earlier composition by the late Renaissance/early Baroque composer Giulio Caccini, this lovely Ave Maria by contemporary Russian composer, Vladimir Vavilov, is sublimely sung here by the great Latvian soprano, Inesa Galante.
May 18
This lively and less well-known “Ave Maria” is by Adolphe Adam, the 19th century French composer best known for the ballet, “Giselle”. It is performed here by the Musica Nostra Choir.
This lively and less well-known “Ave Maria” is by Adolphe Adam, the 19th century French composer best known for the ballet, “Giselle”. It is performed here by the Musica Nostra Choir.
May 17
This wonderful “Ave Maria” is composed by John Rutter and sung here by the NYC Master Chorale.
This wonderful “Ave Maria” is composed by John Rutter and sung here by the NYC Master Chorale.
May 16
William Byrd (1540-1623) was a famous Renaissance composer of secular and sacred polyphony. His “Ave Maria” is sung here by the Cantabile Chamber Singers.
William Byrd (1540-1623) was a famous Renaissance composer of secular and sacred polyphony. His “Ave Maria” is sung here by the Cantabile Chamber Singers.
May 15
Dutch composer Hendrik Andriessen’s very melodic “Ave Maria” is performed here by the Utrecht Cathedral Choir.
Dutch composer Hendrik Andriessen’s very melodic “Ave Maria” is performed here by the Utrecht Cathedral Choir.
14 May
A glorious "Ave Maria" today by the undisputed giant of 16th century polyphonic music, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. It is done justice here by choral ensemble, The Sixteen, who are renowned for their interpretation of Renaissance polyphony.
A glorious "Ave Maria" today by the undisputed giant of 16th century polyphonic music, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. It is done justice here by choral ensemble, The Sixteen, who are renowned for their interpretation of Renaissance polyphony.
May 13
This very melodic Ave Maria was composed by the 16th century Italian composer, Giuliano Buonaugurio da Tivoli and is sung here by the Florentine Ensemble Vocale Tempus Floridum.
This very melodic Ave Maria was composed by the 16th century Italian composer, Giuliano Buonaugurio da Tivoli and is sung here by the Florentine Ensemble Vocale Tempus Floridum.
May 12th
Antonio José, in his short life, wrote extensively for voice in his quest to present the melodies of his native Burgos to the world. He was executed at the age of 33 by a Falangist firing squad in 1936. His “Ave Maria” is sung here by a Basque choir, the Coro Ametsa de Irun.
Antonio José, in his short life, wrote extensively for voice in his quest to present the melodies of his native Burgos to the world. He was executed at the age of 33 by a Falangist firing squad in 1936. His “Ave Maria” is sung here by a Basque choir, the Coro Ametsa de Irun.
May 11
A very contemporary treatment of Ave Maria by American composer, Cary Boyce, can be heard here, performed by the Indiana University Contemporary Vocal Ensemble.
A very contemporary treatment of Ave Maria by American composer, Cary Boyce, can be heard here, performed by the Indiana University Contemporary Vocal Ensemble.
May 10
For today's Ave Maria, we turn to French composer, Camille Saint-Saëns, whose exquisite “Ave Maria” is beautifully sung here by the treble voices of the Wells Cathedral Choir.
For today's Ave Maria, we turn to French composer, Camille Saint-Saëns, whose exquisite “Ave Maria” is beautifully sung here by the treble voices of the Wells Cathedral Choir.
May 7
This Ave Maria is sung in the Irish language by Jacinta O'Donnell & Geraldine Flanagan, the singing duo known as Adhru.
Sé do bheatha, a Mhuire, atá lán de ghrásta, tá an Tiarna leat. Is beannaithe thú idir mná, agus is beannaithe toradh do bhroinne, Íosa.
A Naomh-Mhuire, a Mháthair Dé, guigh orainn na peacaigh,anois, agus ar uair ár mbáis. Amen.
This Ave Maria is sung in the Irish language by Jacinta O'Donnell & Geraldine Flanagan, the singing duo known as Adhru.
Sé do bheatha, a Mhuire, atá lán de ghrásta, tá an Tiarna leat. Is beannaithe thú idir mná, agus is beannaithe toradh do bhroinne, Íosa.
A Naomh-Mhuire, a Mháthair Dé, guigh orainn na peacaigh,anois, agus ar uair ár mbáis. Amen.
May 6
An operatic Ave Maria from Verdi's Otello sung by the incomparable Renée Fleming.
An operatic Ave Maria from Verdi's Otello sung by the incomparable Renée Fleming.
May 5
Today's Ave Maria is by Lajos Bárdos (1899-1986), Hungarian composer, conductor, music theorist, and professor of music at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music, in Budapest. His compositions drew on Renaissance polyphony and Hungarian folk music, following in the tradition of Bartók and Kodály. His dramatic Ave Maria is sung here by Vox Hungarica.
Today's Ave Maria is by Lajos Bárdos (1899-1986), Hungarian composer, conductor, music theorist, and professor of music at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music, in Budapest. His compositions drew on Renaissance polyphony and Hungarian folk music, following in the tradition of Bartók and Kodály. His dramatic Ave Maria is sung here by Vox Hungarica.
May 3
Soaring Ave Marie by Gustav Mahler, achieving fame as the theme music for Luchino Visconti's 1971 film, Death in Venice.
Sung here by New College Choir, Oxford.
Soaring Ave Marie by Gustav Mahler, achieving fame as the theme music for Luchino Visconti's 1971 film, Death in Venice.
Sung here by New College Choir, Oxford.
May 2
A Renaissance version of Ave Maria by the Franco-Flemish composer, Jacob Arcadet, performed here by the Ensamble Solistas de Panamá.
A Renaissance version of Ave Maria by the Franco-Flemish composer, Jacob Arcadet, performed here by the Ensamble Solistas de Panamá.