Duration: 12′
- Text: Ave maris stella, Psalm 26/27, Psalm 106/107
- Soprano solo, mixed chorus, string orchestra
- Oxford University Press
- 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 Cathedra
Ave Maris Stella was commissioned by Portsmouth Grammar School for the Portsmouth Grammar School Chamber Choir and was first performed by them in Portsmouth Cathedral on 11th November 2001 accompanied by the London Mozart Players under the direction of Nicolae Moldoveanu at Portsmouth Cathedral. Ave maris stella is recorded on Dutton Epoch CDLX 7146.
The text has a special significance for Portsmouth with its great naval heritage; the central section “they that go down to the sea in ships” being particularly poignant as the piece was originally written for performance on Armistice Day. McDowall, like so many of us, was horrified by the events of 11th September 2001, and with Ave Maris Stella successfully composed a simple peace anthem which cannot fail to touch the hearts of all those who experience it. The initial inspiration for the work came from a quotation of Woodrow Wilson, whose words appear at the head of the score: “the freedom of the seas is the sine qua non of peace, equality and co-operation”.
Ave Maris Stella, with its modest scoring for soprano solo, mixed chorus and string orchestra consists of seven short sections; the whole piece structured symmetrically around the tempestuous central section. McDowall’s intelligent use of text helps shape the entire work; the first and final parts using the ancient Latin antiphon Ave Maris Stella, while the more turbulent central section uses words from Psalm 106. Acting as a sort of musical buffer before and after the central section, there are two hauntingly beautiful recitatives for solo soprano, using the words of Psalm 26, The Lord is my Light.
Ave Maris Stella bears the dedication pro pace and the beautifully tranquil choral and instrumental writing, which pervades the whole work, gives it an almost mystical aura.
© 2011, George Vass
- 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)