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C. Gounod/J.S. Bach: Ave Maria

 

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Performed by K. Lee, violin/ A. Goodridge, piano

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ave Maria was written by French composer, conductor and organist Charles Gounod (1818-1893). This well-known meditation on the Catholic prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary was based upon the harmonies from J.S. Bach's C Major Prelude No. 1 from the Well Tempered Clavier, which are heard accompanying Gounod's melody for the violin. Gounod himself studied the works of Palestrina while in Rome and became organist at a Paris church. He studied for the priesthood but eventually decided to devote himself to composition, writing numerous operas, Masses, choral works, instrumental and orchestral works.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.” The first part is from Luke 1.28,42

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Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum: benedicta tu in mulieribus,Et benedictus fructus ventris tui Jésus, Sancta Maria, Ora pro nobis nobis peccatoribus, Nunc et in hora in hora mortis mostrae. Amen... Amen..