Description
Dedicated to organist Todd Wilson, this piece was written in 2020 for the 25th anniversary of the David John Falconer Memorial Organ in St. James in-the-City, Los Angeles, California. It was premiered by Mr. Wilson at the Cathedral of St. Phillip, Atlanta, in the summer of 2021 and at St. James in-the-City on October 10, 2021. He recorded it on St. James’ 1911 organ originally built by Murray M. Harris as part of a 2-CD album on the GOTHIC label G-49330-31. The album is available at stjla.org/album/ or through your favorite retailer.
Inspired by the medieval Marian antiphon assigned to be sung at Compline, the Fantasy on Ave Regina Caelorum is entirely based on motives from this exuberant chant melody, most notably its first five notes, A-G-F#-G-E, and later, notes eleven through nineteen, C#-B-D-C#-B-A-B-C#-A.
Its structure is largely tri-partite: A-B-interlude-C, each section of which is distinct in musical and emotional character, yet all borne out of the same motives.
Purchase a License for FANTASY ON AVE REGINA CAELORUM
FANTASY ON AVE REGINA CAELORUM
Part 1 - the praise of Mary as God-bearer – a section of mystery and rising intensity.
Part 2 - driving rhythms and shifting harmonic tension representing the dichotomy of Mary as both a glorious figure and a tragic one in seeing her Son crucified.
Part 3 - the consummation of Mary in radiant assumption into heaven. This final section is preceded by a reflective, transitional soliloquy leading to an ostinato, borne from the preceding motives, hovering over a slightly truncated version of the entire Ave Regina chant melody. All fades away as Mary assumes her heavenly throne beyond the sight of humankind and the earthly realm.
Ave, Regina caelorum,
Ave, Domina Angelorum:
Salve, radix, salve, porta
Ex qua mundo lux est orta:
Gaude, Virgo gloriosa,
Super omnes speciosa,
Vale, O valde decora,
Et pro nobis Christum exora.
Hail, O Queen of Heaven.
Hail, O Lady of Angels
Hail! thou root, hail! thou gate
From whom unto the world a light has arisen:
Rejoice, O glorious Virgin,
Lovely beyond all others,
Farewell, most beautiful maiden,
And plead for us to Christ.
Product Info
This score is 12 pages (letter-size - 8 ½ x 11 inches) in length, and is designed for for front and back “booklet” style copying or simple one-sided copying. Purchasers download a PDF file with permission to reproduce copies for personal use. Once purchased, the product will be immediately available for download from the Purchase Confirmation page. A confirmation email with a download link will also be sent to the Purchaser’s email address. The download link will be valid for 30 days from date of purchase. Once purchased, this music may be performed without limitations. For recording rights, please contact the composer at MusicaBellaLuna@gmail.com.
