Whether for solo, congregation, or choir, singing the text of the "Hail Mary" is a foundation of musical expression about the Blessed Virgin Mary.
This started it all. The great solo settings like Schubert and choral settings like Biebl draw their inspiration from it. While many Catholics associate Mary with the month of May or feasts like Immaculate Conception and the Assumption, this chant is positioned by the church as the proper for the Preparation of Gifts on the 4th Sunday of Advent, paired with the Gospel Reading recounting the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary.
Most widely known among the musical settings of the “Hail Mary,” the origin of this piece is a German folk song. Pairing with the Latin text of the Catholic prayer was a later development. This recording features soprano Renee Fleming.
As the second most popular solo setting, you find people referring to “the other Ave Maria”. This setting combines a piano work of J.S. Bach with a melody by Charles Gounod to set the “Hail Mary”. Rather than sifting through volumes of recordings, here’s the melody played by cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
Often viewed as a foundational choral setting, choirs find this accessible and it makes for a quicker learn. The SJB choir has made use of it as well as another choral work, Hear My Prayer, O God, that pairs the tune with a sacred text. It might be the shortest “Ave Maria” and has resulted in a need to sing it twice when used as an Offertory at mass.
One of the most beloved choral settings, its thick sound comes from being sung by double choir, making it more challenging. While not new, the piece was given a boost by the American male choral ensemble, Chanticleer, who frequently gives concerts at our Cathedral.
If you listened to the chant version, you will find the opening familiar, a choral technique known as incipit. Along with Arcadelt, it is one of the older settings of the “Hail Mary”. The SJB choir has found it an interesting compliment to the Arcadelt, as polyphony gives some challenge to singers.
Most adult SJB parishioners have not heard this setting, as it is in the repertoire of our school liturgy choir. Some of the higher notes present challenge to young singers. Yet, some of our more musically inclined children latch on to the soaring melody.
The SJB choir has come to love the choral writing of Philip Stopford but do not all share the same affinity for this contemporary British composer's complicated musical aesthetic.
You will notice the chant melody woven into the background of this congregational setting of the “Hail Mary.” If it sounds familiar, that is because, in past, it has made an annual appearance on the 4th Sunday of Advent at masses in which the choir does not sing. Enjoy choral harmonies and instruments we do not hear when it is led by instrument and cantor.