Ave Maria – through Centuries

Perhaps there is no such a thing as an unbeautiful Ave Maria melody. Indeed it is impossible to write music for such a text cold-heartedly. Any author who has decided to compose a new musical version of this prayer feels both responsible and inspired in a special way.

This concert features compositions dedicated to Our Lady, from the 13th to 20th century, including the masterpieces of F. Schubert and V. Vavilov (attributed to G. Caccini). Rhythmic melodies of medieval songs, percussion and the noble Baroque style, la folía of Spain and Neapoletan waltz, folk and popular music – each one of the authors featured in the program spoke to the Blessed Virgin in his own language. But all the compositions have something in common: love for Our Lady, faith and beauty.

The presenter of the concert Ingeborga Lyubomirskaya will read brief extracts from Russian and foreign texts dedicated to Saint Mary.