Ave Maria No. 18 (in Ukrainian) – SATB choir, unaccompanied

Durata: ca. 8 minutes

Premiere:  Ensemble Invocatio, Daniel Knaggs, cond., Bydgoszcz and Warsaw, Poland, March 26-27 2022.

Commissioned by: Mrs. Caryn Vukelich

Hear clips of Ave Maria No. 18 below, performed by Ensemble Invocatio:

Clip #1:

Clip # 2:

Program notes:

The 18th annual addition to my 50-Year Ave Maria project (2005-2054) was written in response to the crisis in Ukraine. In this work, I set together the Ave Maria and an ancient prayer for protection (both in Ukrainian) to music meant to express solidarity and hopefulness. It is my sincere hope that this small offering and its performance can somehow bring a sense of comfort to those who suffer.

Translation:

Virgin Mary, rejoice, gracious Mary,
the Lord is with you.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb:
for thou hast begotten Christ the Savior, the Savior of our souls. …

We flee to the shelter of your mercy, O Virgin Mother of God.
Do not reject our prayers of anguish,
but free us from tribulations,
O only pure and blessed One.
Most glorious, ever-virgin Mother of God!
receive our prayers
and bring them to Your Son and our God,
that because of You, He may save our souls.