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 will enjoy them!
NOTE: Because of the different time zones in which our visitors live, we will put up each Ave Maria at least a day in advance. You can scroll down for earlier days.
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 will enjoy them!
NOTE: Because of the different time zones in which our visitors live, we will put up each Ave Maria at least a day in advance. You can scroll down for earlier days.
Image: a detail from the Ghent Altarpiece by Jan van Eyck.
30 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).
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.
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
Today, we depart from the traditional "Ave Maria" prayer for an exquisite hymn by the remarkable 12th century abbess, composer, polymath, writer and mystic, Hildegard of Bingen.
It is sung here by the Sequentia ensemble.
Today, we depart from the traditional "Ave Maria" prayer for an exquisite hymn by the remarkable 12th century abbess, composer, polymath, writer and mystic, Hildegard of Bingen.
It is sung here by the Sequentia ensemble.
|
Ave Maria
O auctrix vitae, Reedificando salutem, Que mortem contrubasti Et serpentem contrivisti Ad quem se Eva erexit erecta cervice cum sufflatu superbie. Hunc conculcasti Dum de cello Filium Dei genuisti Quem inspiravit Spiritus Dei O dulcissima Arque amantissima mater, salve Que natum tuum de cello missum mundo edidisti Quem inspiravit Spiritus Dei Gloria Patri et Filio Et Spiritui sancto. Quem inspiravit Spiritus Dei. |
Hail Mary
O source of life in rebuilding salvation who have shaken death and trodden down the serpent to which Eve reached up her neck high With the breath of pride. You have trampled down that serpent in giving birth to God's son from heaven. whom the spirit of God breathed into you. O sweetest, O dearest and most loving mother, who have given to the world your son sent from heaven, whom the spirit of God breathed into you. Glory to the Father and the son And the Holy Spirit. whom the spirit of God breathed into you. |
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 20th
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 18th
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 16th
Today, we have a variation on the traditional Ave Maria. Josquin des Prez was a French composer of High Renaissance music. A central figure of the Franco-Flemish School, Josquin is considered among the greatest composers of the Renaissance and had a profound influence on the music of 16th-century Europe. His Ave Maria - Virgo Serena motet was one of the most famous pieces of the 15th Century. It is sung here by the British ensemble, Stile Antico.
Today, we have a variation on the traditional Ave Maria. Josquin des Prez was a French composer of High Renaissance music. A central figure of the Franco-Flemish School, Josquin is considered among the greatest composers of the Renaissance and had a profound influence on the music of 16th-century Europe. His Ave Maria - Virgo Serena motet was one of the most famous pieces of the 15th Century. It is sung here by the British ensemble, Stile Antico.
May 15th
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.
May 14th
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 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 11th
Schubert's Ave Maria is beautifully sung here by Barbara Bonney.
Schubert's Ave Maria is beautifully sung here by Barbara Bonney.
May 10th
For today's Ave Maria, we turn to French composer, Camille Saint-Saëns, whose exquisite “Ave Maria” is superbly 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 superbly sung here by the treble voices of the Wells Cathedral Choir.
May 9th
A very contemporary treatment by composer Cary Boyce can be heard here, performed by the Indiana University Contemporary Vocal Ensemble.Ave Maria, a 12-voice motet by composer Cary Boyce is conducted here by Carmen Tellez with Aguava New Music Studio and the Indiana University Contemporary Vocal Ensemble.
A very contemporary treatment by composer Cary Boyce can be heard here, performed by the Indiana University Contemporary Vocal Ensemble.Ave Maria, a 12-voice motet by composer Cary Boyce is conducted here by Carmen Tellez with Aguava New Music Studio and the Indiana University Contemporary Vocal Ensemble.
May 8th
Today's Ave Maria is sung here in the Irish language.
Today's Ave Maria is sung here in the Irish language.
May 7th
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 6th
An operatic Ave Maria from Verdi's Otello sung by the incomparable Renée Fleming. Note that the Ave Maria begins 14 minutes into the recording. It is preceded by the Willow Song.
An operatic Ave Maria from Verdi's Otello sung by the incomparable Renée Fleming. Note that the Ave Maria begins 14 minutes into the recording. It is preceded by the Willow Song.
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 1st
The 20th century German composer, Franz Biebl composed this setting of the Ave Maria, sung here by the superb vocal ensemble, Chanticleer, at St Paul's Cathedral.
And, especially for May Day, we feature ""Queen of the May" in this recording by the late Scottish tenor, Canon Sydney McEwan.
The 20th century German composer, Franz Biebl composed this setting of the Ave Maria, sung here by the superb vocal ensemble, Chanticleer, at St Paul's Cathedral.
And, especially for May Day, we feature ""Queen of the May" in this recording by the late Scottish tenor, Canon Sydney McEwan.