Composer

:

Toshio Hosokawa

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1991

Average_duration

:

8:55

'Ave Maria' is a choral work composed by Toshio Hosokawa in 2008. The piece was premiered on October 26, 2008, at the Suntory Hall in Tokyo, Japan, by the Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra, conducted by Kazushi Ono. The work is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a different text from the traditional Catholic prayer 'Ave Maria.' The first movement, 'Ave Maria gratia plena,' is a setting of the opening lines of the prayer. The music is characterized by a slow, meditative pace, with the choir singing in unison and the orchestra providing a gentle, flowing accompaniment. The movement builds to a climax with the choir singing the phrase 'Dominus tecum' (the Lord is with thee) in a powerful, sustained crescendo. The second movement, 'Benedicta tu in mulieribus,' is a setting of the next line of the prayer, which praises Mary as blessed among women. The music is more lively and rhythmic than the first movement, with the choir singing in harmony and the orchestra providing a lively, dance-like accompaniment. The movement features a solo soprano voice, which sings a soaring melody over the choir and orchestra. The final movement, 'Et benedictus fructus ventris tui,' is a setting of the final line of the prayer, which praises Jesus as the blessed fruit of Mary's womb. The music is characterized by a sense of awe and wonder, with the choir singing in harmony and the orchestra providing a rich, full-bodied accompaniment. The movement builds to a climax with the choir singing the phrase 'Sancta Maria, Mater Dei' (Holy Mary, Mother of God) in a powerful, sustained crescendo. Overall, 'Ave Maria' is a deeply spiritual work that reflects Hosokawa's interest in the intersection of Eastern and Western musical traditions. The music is characterized by a sense of reverence and contemplation, with the choir and orchestra working together to create a rich, complex tapestry of sound. The work is a testament to Hosokawa's skill as a composer and his ability to create music that speaks to the soul.

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