Biebl: Ave Maria (SAT+SATB) [abridged]

Recorded on Dec. 24th, 2007
Peiyang Chorus & Mao Yong

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Chorale
• Choir
• Chorus
• Vocal
• Ensemble
• Group
• Choral
• Music
• Classical
• Concert
• Rehearsal

[glibbergloop]

Dude, lotta technical comments underneath this vid. I don't disagree with almost any of them, but isn't this a great choir nonetheless?

[YunmiAZN]

you need more sopranos to sing the descant. right now, that is what you are lacking severely.

[xjroseexxo]

@DontfuckwithElton

If you removed women from a chorus, it might as well not be called a chorus at all. It's that traditional SATB you'd be losing. That's why they have specific men's choirs.

I've realized that women can be over-powering in choirs. However, the mark of a good choir is one that can use phrasing, and blend well together.

[rwilson626]

@hurst401

When Herr Biebl was organist/choirmaster in a parish church near Munich he had in his church choir a fireman. It was common for factories, police and fire departments, etc. to sponsor an employees' choir, which often would participate in competitions and festivals with other similar choirs. This fireman asked Biebl to please compose something for his fireman's choir for such an occasion. The result was the Ave Maria. It was composed in 1964-the last Castrato died in 1922.

[futzymuf]

I just wish it were slowed down a bit, the tempo is too fast for me to enjoy the beauty of it. Especially the amen's at the end.

[schnico]

Actually it was written in 1906 - I doubt it was intended for Castrati. The tenor parts are not that high, just for regular tenors. It was, however, written for a men's choir. Some pieces work better when translating them for a different choir, but I agree this piece works better for men only. I also have no idea why someone would arrange the piece without going all three times through. Abridging it really destroys the structure and the composer's intentions.

[hurst401]

The reason it was originally desigened form men is because of the concept of "catrati". Most choir's during the period were all men so the composer had no choice but to follow with the norm and make the piece fit all men voices. Truly this piece is meant for an SATB Chamber Choir of about 30 to 40 people. Maybe even lower than 30....

[RayGonzalez2472]

Ya'll sound flat, sorry:P

It is a beautiful song though, I sang the 2nd Alto, my favorite:]] Tenors did pretty good:]

[miggtorr]

I disagree. I think the natural octave difference between the men and women helps bring out the different parts. And it's nice to hear the distinct parts, each one being so beautifully written. Especially in the "Sancta Maria"s. The chords are more open, but they're not changed.

[soulseul]

Originally scored for male voices, after it became popular, the composer himself rearranged Ave Maria for SATB and SSA choir as well. Guess Biebl meant it for more than just men's voices.