Ave Maria Bach/Gounod

Tags:: Ave Bach Catholic Flute Gounod Maria Violin

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Added: 23-Jun-07

A number of stories exist on how this particular Ave Maria came to be, and while the original text may indeed have been profane it's the sacred latin that makes it's mark on our souls. Even without the vocal line the musician must have a focal point from which to build expression upon. The melody built on Bach's prelude is lovely indeed, but when one finds an image of Mary and Jesus in the heart as they play the result is overwhelming.
Gounod was heavily influenced by sacred elements during his time at the Vatican in the 1840's and considered the priesthood. His religious compositions are many though rarely heard today. Some consider his music too theatrical for use in the church, though I would not agree with this position. Close your eyes, listen to the final scene in Faust and find a glimpse of what we must surely hear on our journey to Heaven.
And so it is with this Ave Maria - I play it much slower than most and even here it is a bit too fast. I sometimes finish this piece realizing tears have made their way down towards the violin...perhaps at that moment I have matured just a bit more toward what Gounod desired