04/11/2023
The season of Advent (The four Sundays before Christmas) are almost upon us. Sometimes in Advent we are are reminded of the Annunciation. That’s the story of when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she was going to birth to the Saviour who would redeem God’s people from their sins. We hear some of the words from that biblical account in the famous Latin text, Ave Maria. When we think of ‘Ave Maria’ being sung, two famous musical settings are likely to come to mind. Namely those of Franz Schubert (popular at Catholic weddings in years gone by), as well as the other famous one by Charles Gounod who wrote a lovely soaring melody over the top of a Prelude in C major by Johann Sebastian Bach. There are many other fine examples of musical settings to this same text. That’s a good thing. It’s good to be reminded of this story and how it fits in with God’s master plan that brings us the good news. My point is, it’s good to have new opportunities to hear these words afresh, carried by new musical settings that support the text and carry us along with it. My friend, Matthew Hadgraft has written such a new setting and I’m sure it will grow in popularity, especially among choral singers in the coming years. It really is a wonderful musical setting of the text and I think it truly deserves exposure to the finest of choirs and their listeners. I am truly pleased to announce this new publication.
https://ppma.com.au/shop/ave-maria/
This glorious setting of the traditional Latin text of the Annunciation is ideal for experienced choirs. Scored for SATB choir with optional soprano solo in open score with luscious organ part on three staves. 6 pages plus cover and brief composer's biography and notes. Just under 3 minutes performa...
