Ave Maria, by Anton Bruckner

Описание: Quire of Cheahs presents Anton Bruckner's much beloved 1861 setting of "Ave Maria", WAB 6. The second of three settings of this Marian hymn, it was composed in Linz and scored for seven unaccompanied voices.

In his early 30s, Bruckner -- already an established composer -- decided to embark upon an exhaustive five-year postal course in harmony and counterpoint with the renowned Viennese theorist Simon Sechter during which Bruckner was forbidden to compose any music. This "Ave Maria" was Bruckner's first composition after the completion of his studies which may explain the sense of new confidence and freedom in this miniature masterpiece. The motet was first performed on May 12, 1861 as the Offertorium of a mass by Antonio Lotti in the Linz Cathedral under Bruckner's direction. (This performance also marked his concert debut as both composer and conductor.) Bruckner was also the organist at Linz as well as the director of the Liedertafel Frohsinn, an all-male choral society, who performed the motet to celebrate the 15th anniversary of its founding. The reviewer of the Linzer Zeitung praised the work for its religious sincerity, "strict contrapuntal execution" and "glorious ... repetition of 'Jesus' to solemn A-major chords". In a letter about the reception of the work dated October 3, 1861, Bruckner remarked, "I was, in the end, splendidly applauded by my choir -- twice."

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Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum.
Benedicta tu in mulieribus
et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus.
Sancta Maria, mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus,
nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

Hail, Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.