Ave Maria Op. 261

This is an extraordinary setting of a beloved text. Its many challenges will stimulate choirs of advanced abilities and will provide endless possibilities for interpretation. The piece opens with the male voices singing a long melody that builds until all voices have sung it. Dominus tecum is then set quite chromatically as a stark contrast to the simple modality of the opening. A contrapuntal section follows which reaches a broad climax at the words Sancta Maria Mater Dei. A lovely ascending phrase is repeated three times: Ave maria. The piece concludes with an Amen setting using the opening material and ends in the major mode. This is a major addition to the choral repertory and advanced choirs will find it a stimulating and refreshing challenge.