Music 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 Ave Maria. Some will be familiar, others less so.
Ave Maria
Gratia plena
Dominus tecum.
Benedicta tu in mulieribus,
Et benedictus fructus ventris Jesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei,
Ora pro nobis peccatoribus,
Nunc et in hora mortis nostrae.
Amen
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 Ave Maria. Some will be familiar, others less so.
Ave Maria
Gratia plena
Dominus tecum.
Benedicta tu in mulieribus,
Et benedictus fructus ventris Jesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei,
Ora pro nobis peccatoribus,
Nunc et in hora mortis nostrae.
Amen
30th May
Maris Lasmanis is a contemporary Latvian composer, writing across a variety of genres inckuding classical, dramatic, choral, chamber. pop and jazz. He was the winner of an international competition for this Ave Maria for boy soprano voice.
Maris Lasmanis is a contemporary Latvian composer, writing across a variety of genres inckuding classical, dramatic, choral, chamber. pop and jazz. He was the winner of an international competition for this Ave Maria for boy soprano voice.
29th May
Bruckner's haunting Ave Maria is sung here by the Norwegian chamber choir, Schola Cantorum.
Bruckner's haunting Ave Maria is sung here by the Norwegian chamber choir, Schola Cantorum.
28th May
German composer, Vinzenz Lachner, was essentially self-taught. He was first educated by his father Anton Lachner, the municipal organist. In 1831 he moved to Vienna to continue his musical training, becoming assistant conductor at the Court Opera and organist at a Protestant church (though he himself was Catholic). In 1836 he became court conductor at Mannheim where he was so highly valued that his contract was renewed and extended whenever he received offers from other musical centres. In all he remained there for 37 years. His Ave Maria is performed here by Ars Musicae.
German composer, Vinzenz Lachner, was essentially self-taught. He was first educated by his father Anton Lachner, the municipal organist. In 1831 he moved to Vienna to continue his musical training, becoming assistant conductor at the Court Opera and organist at a Protestant church (though he himself was Catholic). In 1836 he became court conductor at Mannheim where he was so highly valued that his contract was renewed and extended whenever he received offers from other musical centres. In all he remained there for 37 years. His Ave Maria is performed here by Ars Musicae.
27th May
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.
26th 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 25th
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May 24th
Ave Maria for solo voice and piano by Joaquín Larregla This arrangement for solo voice, piano and choir was composed by his grandson, Federico Moreno-Torroba Larregla, specifically for the occasion.
The concert was held in the Church of Doneztebe-Santesteban on October 10, 2016 in commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the birth of this great Navarrese pianist and composer. Soprano soloist: Mañoli Apezteguía. Pianist: Garbiñe Leiza.Director: Ion Irazoki
Ave Maria for solo voice and piano by Joaquín Larregla This arrangement for solo voice, piano and choir was composed by his grandson, Federico Moreno-Torroba Larregla, specifically for the occasion.
The concert was held in the Church of Doneztebe-Santesteban on October 10, 2016 in commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the birth of this great Navarrese pianist and composer. Soprano soloist: Mañoli Apezteguía. Pianist: Garbiñe Leiza.Director: Ion Irazoki
May 22nd
Jose Gabarain Olaizola was born in Hernani, Spain, on 27 January 1883. He studied music theory, harmony, piano and organ. In 1899 he obtained a grant to enter the San Sebastián Academy of Fine Arts. He wrote more than a hundred scores for liturgical worship. His lyrical Ave Maria is here performed by soprano, Belén Herrero Obeso and Maite Alcalde (organ).
Jose Gabarain Olaizola was born in Hernani, Spain, on 27 January 1883. He studied music theory, harmony, piano and organ. In 1899 he obtained a grant to enter the San Sebastián Academy of Fine Arts. He wrote more than a hundred scores for liturgical worship. His lyrical Ave Maria is here performed by soprano, Belén Herrero Obeso and Maite Alcalde (organ).
May 20th
The wonderful American soprano, Renée Fleming, can be heard here as the tragic Desdemona, in Verdi's opera, Otello, singing the Ave Maria aria.
The wonderful American soprano, Renée Fleming, can be heard here as the tragic Desdemona, in Verdi's opera, Otello, singing the Ave Maria aria.
May 19th
This wonderful Ave Maria is composed by John Rutter and sung here by the New York City Master Chorale.
This wonderful Ave Maria is composed by John Rutter and sung here by the New York City Master Chorale.
May 18th
In December 1996, Italian composer Giorgio Lanzani presented his first work of sacred music - an Ave Maria performed here by Corales S. M. Ausiliatice Jesolo.
In December 1996, Italian composer Giorgio Lanzani presented his first work of sacred music - an Ave Maria performed here by Corales S. M. Ausiliatice Jesolo.
May 17th
This powerful Ave Maria is composed by Austrian composer, Gerhard Lagrange, former conductor of the Viennese Tonkünstler Orchestra. It is performed here by soprano Mika Iwakiri with the Philharmonische Orchester of Györ, Hungary, conducted by the composer.
This powerful Ave Maria is composed by Austrian composer, Gerhard Lagrange, former conductor of the Viennese Tonkünstler Orchestra. It is performed here by soprano Mika Iwakiri with the Philharmonische Orchester of Györ, Hungary, conducted by the composer.
May 16th
Morten Johannes Lauridsen (born February 27, 1943) is an American composer. A National Medal of Arts recipient (2007), he has been a professor of composition at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music for more than 40 years. His Ave Maria is performed here by the Luther College Nordic Choir, Iowa.
Morten Johannes Lauridsen (born February 27, 1943) is an American composer. A National Medal of Arts recipient (2007), he has been a professor of composition at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music for more than 40 years. His Ave Maria is performed here by the Luther College Nordic Choir, Iowa.
May 15th
British composer, Robert Prizeman, composed the theme music for BBC's Songs of Praise, and was music director to the porgramme for many years. His 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 porgramme for many years. His Ave Maria is performed here by Finnish ensemble, Lauluyhtye Luminos.
May 14th
Jules Massenet's lyrical Ave Maria is sung here by soprano Rima Tawil, with the Danau Philharmonie Wien, conducted by Manfred Müssauer.
Jules Massenet's lyrical Ave Maria is sung here by soprano Rima Tawil, with the Danau Philharmonie Wien, conducted by Manfred Müssauer.
May 13th
Soaring Ave Marie by Gustav Mahler, achieving fame as the theme music for Luchino Visconti's 1971 film, Death in Venice. Sung here -as in the film - 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 -as in the film - by New College Choir, Oxford.
May 11th
Rihards Dubra is a contemporary Latvian composer. This Ave Maria is the second of three settings he has composed to date. It is sung here by the Choir of the Medical University of Warsaw.
Rihards Dubra is a contemporary Latvian composer. This Ave Maria is the second of three settings he has composed to date. It is sung here by the Choir of the Medical University of Warsaw.
May 10th
Francis Poulenc's beautiful "Ave Maria" is part of his opera, Les Dialogues des Carmelites.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).
Francis Poulenc's beautiful "Ave Maria" is part of his opera, Les Dialogues des Carmelites.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).
May 9th
Jaakko Mäntyjärvi (b. 1963) is a Finnish translator and composer. A professional freelance translator, he is also an active semi-professional musician involved mostly in choral singing. Consequently, most of his output as a composer consists of choral works, some 100 of which have been published to date. He describes himself as an eclectic traditionalist, eclectic in that he adopts influences from a number of styles and periods, fusing them into his own idiom; traditionalist in that his musical language is based on an awareness of tradition, continuity and communicativeness. Listen to his Ave Maria here.
Jaakko Mäntyjärvi (b. 1963) is a Finnish translator and composer. A professional freelance translator, he is also an active semi-professional musician involved mostly in choral singing. Consequently, most of his output as a composer consists of choral works, some 100 of which have been published to date. He describes himself as an eclectic traditionalist, eclectic in that he adopts influences from a number of styles and periods, fusing them into his own idiom; traditionalist in that his musical language is based on an awareness of tradition, continuity and communicativeness. Listen to his Ave Maria here.
May 8th
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.
May 7th
Today's Ave Maria is by contemporary American composer, Daniel Elder. It is sung here by the University of Georgia Hodgson Singers.
Today's Ave Maria is by contemporary American composer, Daniel Elder. It is sung here by the University of Georgia Hodgson Singers.
May 6th
John Conahan is a contemporary American composer, conductor, performer, and educator. Here is his Ave Maria, sung a cappella.
John Conahan is a contemporary American composer, conductor, performer, and educator. Here is his Ave Maria, sung a cappella.
May 5th
Today, we feature an Ave Maria by Tudor composer, Robert Parsons (1535-1572). He is especially noted for his choral motets, and he is recognised as a master of polyphonic writing for choirs, most notably this setting of Ave Maria, sung here by the world-renowned vocal ensemble, The Sixteen.
Ave Maria is probably his best-known work, a motet of appropriately feminine loveliness and radiance. An interesting feature of íts structure is that the soprano part of the opening section makes a series of six entries, each one beginning one note higher than the one before. The effect is of rising excitement and ecstasy.
Today, we feature an Ave Maria by Tudor composer, Robert Parsons (1535-1572). He is especially noted for his choral motets, and he is recognised as a master of polyphonic writing for choirs, most notably this setting of Ave Maria, sung here by the world-renowned vocal ensemble, The Sixteen.
Ave Maria is probably his best-known work, a motet of appropriately feminine loveliness and radiance. An interesting feature of íts structure is that the soprano part of the opening section makes a series of six entries, each one beginning one note higher than the one before. The effect is of rising excitement and ecstasy.
May 4th
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.
May 3rd
This Ave Maria setting is by Bob Chilcott, British composer and Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Singers. It is sung here by the Fairhaven Singers.
This Ave Maria setting is by Bob Chilcott, British composer and Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Singers. It is sung here by the Fairhaven Singers.
May 1st
And, epecially for May Day, we feature ""Queen of the May" in this recording by the late Scottish tenor, Canon Sydney McEwan.
And, epecially for May Day, we feature ""Queen of the May" in this recording by the late Scottish tenor, Canon Sydney McEwan.