Bach/Gounod Ave Maria (Andrea Bocelli)

The Annunciation, by Frederico Barocci

     As my final posting of Advent I'm offering this gorgeous rendition of the Bach/Gounod Ave Maria recorded by Andrea Bocelli.  While this setting for the Hail Mary is more understated than the better-known Schubert Ave Maria, it is no less moving or beautiful.
     The melody was originally composed as an improvisation over Bach's Prelude Number 1 in C Major by mid-19th century French composer Charles Gounod. As is the case with Schubert's composition, the music was not originally intended as a setting for the Ave Maria; in both cases, however, the resulting combination seems almost perfect.
     On this final day of Advent, it seems fitting to look back, as this musical prayer invites us to do, on  the earlier events in Mary's life that culminate in tomorrow's glorious Nativity of Our Lord.

Today you will know the Lord is coming, and in the morning you will see His glory!
     

For more Advent music, please see “Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming (Frederica Von Stade)” from the blog Principium et Finis.