A Feast of "Ave Marias" for the Month of May!
See word document Ave Marias for May 18 for complete set
See word document Ave Marias for May 18 for complete set
"Head of the Virgin" by Leonardo da Vinci. Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum, New York. |
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". The "Ave Maria" is perhaps the most popular of all the Marian prayers. The first part, the Scriptural part, is taken from the Gospel of St. Luke and joins together the words of the Angel Gabriel at the Annunciation (Lk 1:28) together with Elizabeth's greeting to Mary at the Visitation (Luke 1:42). The joining of these two passages can be found as early as the fifth century in the eastern liturgies of St. James of Antioch and St. Mark of Alexandria. The second part of the prayer is thought to have emerged in the fifteenth century. |
31st May: Saint-Saëns
For our last “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 our last “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.
30th May: Schubert (instrumental)
A haunting instrumental “Ave Maria" today: Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a British cellist who won the 2016 BBC Young Musician of the Year award. He was the first black musician to win the award since its launch 38 years earlier. Here he is, playing Schubert’s “Ave Maria”. It is towards the end of the recording: scroll to seven minutes.
A haunting instrumental “Ave Maria" today: Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a British cellist who won the 2016 BBC Young Musician of the Year award. He was the first black musician to win the award since its launch 38 years earlier. Here he is, playing Schubert’s “Ave Maria”. It is towards the end of the recording: scroll to seven minutes.
28th May: Aichinger and Alain
Gregor Aichinger was a German composer of religious music during the stylistic transition from the late Renaissance to early Baroque. His “Ave Maria” is performed here by the Musica Celeste ensemble. 20th century French organist and composer, Jehan Alain, created this “Ave Maria”, sung here by Isabelle Fremau and Marie-Ange Leurent.
Gregor Aichinger was a German composer of religious music during the stylistic transition from the late Renaissance to early Baroque. His “Ave Maria” is performed here by the Musica Celeste ensemble. 20th century French organist and composer, Jehan Alain, created this “Ave Maria”, sung here by Isabelle Fremau and Marie-Ange Leurent.
27th May: Palestrina
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.
26th May: Aguiar and Antognini
A joyful Latin-American “Ave Maria” by contemporary Brazilian composer, Ernani Aguiar, is sung here by the choir of the American University of Beirut; while this lovely version is by a contemporary Swiss composer, Ivo Antognini, performed here by Cantus Firmus Surselva.
A joyful Latin-American “Ave Maria” by contemporary Brazilian composer, Ernani Aguiar, is sung here by the choir of the American University of Beirut; while this lovely version is by a contemporary Swiss composer, Ivo Antognini, performed here by Cantus Firmus Surselva.
May 24th: Baumann and Andriessen
To Germany and Holland today: Max Baumann is a 20th century German composer whose compositions are mainly sacred works that are dramatic and austere in character. His “Ave Maria” is sung here by the Kölner Kantorei; while Dutch composer Hendrik Andriessen’s very melodic “Ave Maria” is performed here by the Utrecht Cathedral Choir.
To Germany and Holland today: Max Baumann is a 20th century German composer whose compositions are mainly sacred works that are dramatic and austere in character. His “Ave Maria” is sung here by the Kölner Kantorei; while Dutch composer Hendrik Andriessen’s very melodic “Ave Maria” is performed here by the Utrecht Cathedral Choir.
May 22nd: Buonaugurio and Andreo
This “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; On a more contemporary note, composer Dante Andreo was born in the Argentine province of Cordoba, and has lived in Spain since 1980. His “Ave Maria” is given a vivacious performance by Les Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Marc.
This “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; On a more contemporary note, composer Dante Andreo was born in the Argentine province of Cordoba, and has lived in Spain since 1980. His “Ave Maria” is given a vivacious performance by Les Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Marc.
May 21st: Verdi and Caccini
Two superstars today: the wonderful American soprano, Renée Fleming, can be heard here as the tragic Desdemona, in Verdi's opera, "Otello" singing the "Ave Maria" aria; while renowned Welsh mezzo soprano, Katherine Jenkins, gives a windswept rendition of the "Ave Maria" ascribed to the late Renaissance composer, Giulio Caccini.
Two superstars today: the wonderful American soprano, Renée Fleming, can be heard here as the tragic Desdemona, in Verdi's opera, "Otello" singing the "Ave Maria" aria; while renowned Welsh mezzo soprano, Katherine Jenkins, gives a windswept rendition of the "Ave Maria" ascribed to the late Renaissance composer, Giulio Caccini.
May 20th: Berry and Bertinelli
This “Ave Maria” is sung here by the Jubilus student chamber choir of Luther College, Iowa, and was composed by Jubilus member, Colin Berry. The work of another modern composer, the Italian Bruno Betinelli, is performed here by the Coro Lavinium.
This “Ave Maria” is sung here by the Jubilus student chamber choir of Luther College, Iowa, and was composed by Jubilus member, Colin Berry. The work of another modern composer, the Italian Bruno Betinelli, is performed here by the Coro Lavinium.
May 18th: Parsons and Rutter
Two English composers, one Tudor and one contemporary: 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; and this wonderful “Ave Maria” is composed by John Rutter and sung here by the NYC Master Chorale.
Two English composers, one Tudor and one contemporary: 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; and this wonderful “Ave Maria” is composed by John Rutter and sung here by the NYC Master Chorale.
May 17th
Giovanni Bassano was an Italian Venetian School composer and cornettist of the late Renaissance and early Baroque eras. His “Ave Maria” is sung here by Italian countertenor, Alessandro Carmignani.
Giovanni Bassano was an Italian Venetian School composer and cornettist of the late Renaissance and early Baroque eras. His “Ave Maria” is sung here by Italian countertenor, Alessandro Carmignani.
May 16th: Adam and de Abranches
This lively “Ave Maria” is by Adolphe Adam, was a 19th century French composer best known for the ballet, “Giselle”. It is performed here by the Musica Nostra Choir; this version by Brazilian composer, Dunshee de Abranches, is charmingly sung here by the Meninas Cantoras de Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro.
This lively “Ave Maria” is by Adolphe Adam, was a 19th century French composer best known for the ballet, “Giselle”. It is performed here by the Musica Nostra Choir; this version by Brazilian composer, Dunshee de Abranches, is charmingly sung here by the Meninas Cantoras de Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro.
May 15th: Byrd and Archer
Two English composers today: William Byrd was a famous Renaissance composer of secular and sacred polyphony. His “Ave Maria” is sung here by the Cantabile Chamber Singers. 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.
Two English composers today: William Byrd was a famous Renaissance composer of secular and sacred polyphony. His “Ave Maria” is sung here by the Cantabile Chamber Singers. 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 12th: Bellini and José
This beautiful “Ave Maria” by 19th century Italian composer, Vincenzo Bellini, is performed by the Coro Diocesano di Nola.
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.
This beautiful “Ave Maria” by 19th century Italian composer, Vincenzo Bellini, is performed by the Coro Diocesano di Nola.
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: Von Bruck and Boyce
Arnold von Bruck was a Franco-Flemish composer of the Renaissance, active in several Habsburg courts. His “Ave Maria” is sung here by the Oktet Primafonia of Krakow; in contrast, a very contemporary treatment by composer Cary Boyce can be heard here, performed by the Indiana University Contemporary Vocal Ensemble.
Arnold von Bruck was a Franco-Flemish composer of the Renaissance, active in several Habsburg courts. His “Ave Maria” is sung here by the Oktet Primafonia of Krakow; in contrast, a very contemporary treatment by composer Cary Boyce can be heard here, performed by the Indiana University Contemporary Vocal Ensemble.
May 6th: Bruckner and Lorenc
Bruckner's haunting "Ave Maria" is sung here by the Norwegian chamber choir, Schola Cantorum; a very different interpretation is one from Polish composer, Michał Lorenc's 2004 film score for "The Passion of Christ", performed here by Russian soprano, Olga Szyrowa.
Bruckner's haunting "Ave Maria" is sung here by the Norwegian chamber choir, Schola Cantorum; a very different interpretation is one from Polish composer, Michał Lorenc's 2004 film score for "The Passion of Christ", performed here by Russian soprano, Olga Szyrowa.
May 5th: Cornelius and Kahn
Today we feature two legendary tenors: John McCormack sings "Ave Maria" by the 19th century German composer, Peter Cornelius; the English composer, Percy B. Kahn's most famous famous composition was his "Ave Maria", performed here by Enrico Caruso.
Today we feature two legendary tenors: John McCormack sings "Ave Maria" by the 19th century German composer, Peter Cornelius; the English composer, Percy B. Kahn's most famous famous composition was his "Ave Maria", performed here by Enrico Caruso.
May 4th: Rachmaninov and Arcadet
Today, we bring you Rachmaninov's "Ave Maria", sung here by the North Dakota State University Concert Choir; and, in contrast, a Rennaissance version by the Franco-Flemish composer, Jacob Arcadet, performed here by the Ensamble Solistas de Panamá.
Today, we bring you Rachmaninov's "Ave Maria", sung here by the North Dakota State University Concert Choir; and, in contrast, a Rennaissance version by the Franco-Flemish composer, Jacob Arcadet, performed here by the Ensamble Solistas de Panamá.
May 3rd: Gounod and Vavilov
Perhaps the best known of all the versions of "Ave Maria" is that by Charles Gounod. Here it is, sung by the great Luciano Pavarotti. We also bring you a much more recent composition, from 1970, by Russian composer, Vladimir Vavilov. This lovely version (sometimes, but incorrectly, ascribed to Giulio Caccini) is performed here by the Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux et la Maîtrise de Paris.
Perhaps the best known of all the versions of "Ave Maria" is that by Charles Gounod. Here it is, sung by the great Luciano Pavarotti. We also bring you a much more recent composition, from 1970, by Russian composer, Vladimir Vavilov. This lovely version (sometimes, but incorrectly, ascribed to Giulio Caccini) is performed here by the Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux et la Maîtrise de Paris.
May 2nd: Cherubini and Brahms
Dutch soprano, Lyda van Tol, sings Cherubini's "Ave Maria here; and this rendition of Brahms' version is by the Hungarian Kodály Zoltan Female Choir.
Dutch soprano, Lyda van Tol, sings Cherubini's "Ave Maria here; and this rendition of Brahms' version is by the Hungarian Kodály Zoltan Female Choir.
May 1st: Verdi and Schubert
Today we feature two very different recordings of the "Ave Maria": Verdi's composition based on the scala enigmata, sung here by the SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart; and Barbra Streisand singing Schubert's version here.
And, especially for May Day, click here to listen to Canon Sydney MacEwan singing "Bring Flowers of the Rarest".
Today we feature two very different recordings of the "Ave Maria": Verdi's composition based on the scala enigmata, sung here by the SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart; and Barbra Streisand singing Schubert's version here.
And, especially for May Day, click here to listen to Canon Sydney MacEwan singing "Bring Flowers of the Rarest".