supporting his family as a conductor, teacher and performer, while setting about
to create his nationally inspired compositions. Although Grieg composed major
orchestral works early in his career, he is mostly remembered for his short, lyrical
pieces, or “miniatures,” that remain popular with audiences and musicians alike. The
composer eventually returned to Bergen, where he built his estate, Trolhaugen, and
spent the remainder of his days composing in a simple hut that held only a piano
and a writing desk.
No. 2 of To religiøse kor (Two Religious Choruses), Grieg’s Ave maris stella dates
from 1898 and is the composer’s own choral arrangement of a solo song with piano
which he had written in 1893. Apart from the Four Norwegian psalms written shortly
before his death, these are the only pieces of sacred music that Grieg composed
in his lifetime. Grieg sets just four verses of the hymn’s original seven; the music
The poetic image of Mary as a star guiding mortal souls across the ocean of life no
North Sea.
Ave, maris stella, Hail, star of the sea,
Dei Mater alma, loving Mother of God,
Atque semper Virgo, but always virgin,
Felix caeli porta. joyous gate of heaven.
Solve vincla reis, Break the chains of sinners,
Profer lumen caecis, bring light to the blind,
Mala nostra pelle, banish our evils,
Bona cuncta posce. ask for us all good things.
Vitam praesta puram, Keep life pure,
Iter para tutum, make the journey safe,
Ut videntes Jesum, so that, seeing Jesus,
Semper collaetemur. we may always rejoice together.
Sit laus Deo Patri, Praise be to God the Father,
Summo Christo decus Glory to Christ in the highest,
Spiritui Sancto, To the Holy Spirit,
Tribus honor unus. Amen.
|