Ave maris stella
(2001)
Text: Ave maris stella, Psalm 26/27, Psalm 106/107
soprano solo, mixed chorus, string orchestra
duration: 12'
Oxford University Press 2008
Score cat no NH43
Commissioned by The Portsmouth Grammar School
First performance 11 November 2001
Portsmouth Chamber Choir, London Mozart Players/Nicolae Moldoveanu
Portsmouth Anglican Cathedral
CDLX7146 
Review available
| Commissioned by The Portsmouth Grammar School. The première of Ave maris stella was given on Armistice Day 2001 by The Portsmouth Chamber Choir, choirmaster James Henderson, and the London Mozart Players, directed by Nicolae Moldoveanu at St Thomas's Cathedral, Portsmouth. Ave maris stella is recorded on Dutton Epoch CDLX 7146.
I had already started work on Ave maris stella when the events of 9/11 forced me to reconsider my choice of words. Suddenly my original selection of war poetry seemed too disturbing, too provocative and raw, for such a sensitive occasion as Armistice Day. As a result I thought again about the text, wanting to bring something to the work that would have a more personal significance for Portsmouth Grammar School and for the City of Portsmouth with its great naval heritage.
The texts of the piece are taken from the Vesper hymn to the Virgin Mary, Ave maris stella (Hail, Star of the sea) and two Psalms in the Vulgate: Psalm 106, Qui descendunt (They that go down to the sea in ships), and Psalm 26, Dominus illuminatio mea (The Lord is my light). This last Psalm is associated with the Founder of the school, Dr William Smith, who was at Christ Church, Oxford. Dominus illuminatio mea, the Oxford University motto, can be seen in one of the three stained glass panels of the school's Boer War Memorial window in Portsmouth Cathedral, commemorating those who lost their lives. This work bears the dedication, pro pace, and is inspired by the words of Woodrow Wilson: 'The freedom of the seas is the sine qua non of peace, equality and co-operation.'
© 2008 Cecilia McDowall
Ave maris stella, scored for soprano solo, mixed chorus and string orchestra, falls into seven sections and is structured symmetrically around the tempestuous central section (Psalm 106/7). The opening and closing sections bring, I hope, a mood of peace and certainty (Ave maris stella and Sit laus Deo Patri). In the second and sixth sections (Solve vincla and Vitam praesta) the mood becomes one of restlessness; after the second and before the sixth section the soprano sings, simply, Dominus illuminatio mea. In the turbulent middle section the vocal lines, mostly in unison, descend and rise in increasing agitation. The tenors and basses sing of the gathering storm (Dixit et surrexit) whilst the long ascending melodic arches of the sopranos and altos 'are carried up to the heaven, and down again to the deep'.
© 2008 James Henderson
Ave maris stella,
Dei Mater alma,
Atque semper Virgo,
Felix caeli porta.
Hail, Star of the sea,
nourishing mother of God,
and ever a virgin,
auspicious gate of heaven.
Solve vincla reis,
Profer lumen caecis
Mala nostra pelle,
Bona cuncta posce.
Release the chains of the guilty,
bring light to the blind,
take away our sins,
For all blessings pray.
Dominus illuminatio mea et salutare meum.
Dominus fortitudo vitae meae quem formidabo?
The Lord is my light, and my salvation.
The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid? (Psalm 26/27)
Qui descendunt in mare navibus facientes opus in aquis multis
Ipsi viderunt opera Domini et mirabilia eius in profundo
Dixit et surrexit ventus tempestatis
Ascendunt in caelum et descendunt in abyssos
Clamabunt autem ad Dominum in tribulatione sua et de angustia educet eos
Statuet turbinem in tranquillitatem. (Psalm 106/107, King James Version)
They that go down to the sea in ships: and occupy their business in great waters;
These men see the works of the Lord: and his wonders in the deep.
For at his word the stormy wind ariseth.
They are carried up to the heaven, and down again to the deep.
So when they cry out unto the Lord in their trouble: he delivereth them out of their distress.
For he maketh the storm to cease.
(The Book of Common Prayer)
Dominus illuminatio mea et salutare meum
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Vitam praesta puram,
Iter para tutum:
Ut videntes Jesum,
Semper collaetemur.
Display a pure life,
prepare your way
till we find Jesus,
Joy for evermore.
Sit laus Deo Patri,
Summo Christo decus,
Spiritui Sancto,
Tribus honor unus.
Praise to God the Father,
glory to Christ the great,
the Holy Spirit,
One honour in three.
(Ave Maris Stella) |