Ellens dritter Gesang
Encyclopedia
Ellens dritter Gesang in English
: "Ellen's Third Song", was composed by Franz Schubert
in 1825 as part of his Opus 52, a setting of seven songs from Walter Scott
's popular epic poem The Lady of the Lake
, loosely translated into German.
It has become one of Schubert's most popular works under the title of Ave Maria
, in arrangements with various lyrics which commonly differ from the original context of the poem.
's popular epic poem The Lady of the Lake
, in a German
translation by Adam Storck (1780-1822), and thus forms part of Schubert's Liederzyklus vom Fräulein vom See.
In Scott's poem the character Ellen Douglas, the "Lady" of "the Lake" (Loch Katrine
in the Scottish Highlands
) has gone with her exiled father to stay in the "Goblin's cave" as he has declined to join their previous host, Roderick Dhu, in rebellion against King James. Roderick Dhu, the chieftain of Clan
Alpine, sets off up the mountain with his warriors, but lingers and hears the distant sound of the harpist Allan-bane, accompanying Ellen who sings a prayer
addressed to the Virgin Mary, calling upon her for help. Roderick Dhu pauses, then goes on to battle.
Schubert's arrangement is said to have first been performed at the castle of Countess Sophie Weissenwolff in the little Austrian town of Steyregg
and dedicated to her, which led to her becoming known as "the lady of the lake" herself.
The opening words and refrain of Ellen's song, namely "Ave Maria" (Latin, "Hail Mary"), may have led to the idea of adapting Schubert's melody as a setting for the full text of the traditional Roman Catholic prayer
Ave Maria
. The Latin
version of the Ave Maria is now so frequently used with Schubert's melody that it has led to the misconception that he originally wrote the melody as a setting for the Ave Maria.
Recordings of the Latin version of Ave Maria set to Ellens dritter Gesang include:
The songs are not intended for a single performer: the three songs of Ellen are piano songs for a woman's voice, while the songs for Norman and the Count of Douglas were intended for the baritone Johann Michael Vogl
. The remaining two songs are written one for a male and the other for a female ensemble.
Schubert composed the songs to the German texts. However, with the exception of No. 5, the songs were clearly intended to be published with the original English texts as well. This meant finding correspondences to Storck's sometimes quite free translations, which entailed significant difficulties.
used Schubert's song in the final part of Fantasia 1940
, where he linked it to Modest Mussorgsky
's Night on Bald Mountain
in one of his most famous pastiche
s. The end of Mussorgsky's work blends with almost no break into the beginning of Schubert's song, and as Deems Taylor remarked, the bells in "Night on Bald Mountain", originally meant to signal the coming of dawn, which cause the demon Chernabog to stop his dark worship and the ghosts to return to the grave, now seem to be church bells signalling the beginning of religious services. A procession of monks is shown walking along. The text for this version is sung in English
, and was written by Rachel Field
. This version also had three stanzas, like Schubert's original, but only the third stanza made it into the film (one line in the last stanza is partially repeated to show how it is sung in the film):
Ave Maria!
Now your ageless bell
so sweetly sounds for listening ears,
from heights of Heaven to brink of Hell
in tender notes have echoed through the years.
Aloft from earth's far boundaries
Each poor petition, every prayer,
the hopes of foolish ones and wise
must mount in thanks or grim despair.
Ave Maria!
Ave Maria!
You were not spared one pang of flesh, or mortal tear;
So rough the paths your feet have shared,
So great the bitter burden of your fear.
Your heart has bled with every beat.
In dust you laid your weary head,
the hopeless vigil of defeat was yours
and flinty stone for bread
Ave Maria!
Ave Maria!
Heaven's Bride.
The bells ring out in solemn praise,
for you, the anguish and the pride.
The living glory of our nights,
of our nights and days.
The Prince of Peace your arms embrace,
while hosts of darkness fade and cower.
Oh save us, mother full of grace,
In life and in our dying hour,
Ave Maria!
The version heard in Fantasia was made by Leopold Stokowski
especially for the film, and unlike the original, which is for a solo voice, is scored for soprano
and mixed chorus
, accompanied by the string section of the Philadelphia Orchestra
. The soloist is Julietta Novis.
The liner notes for the soundtrack LP of Fantasia, released by Disneyland Records
(mono) and Buena Vista Records (stereo), and the booklet for the CD, released by Walt Disney Records
, do not contain the Rachel Field lyric.
There is at least one additional set of lyrics for Schubert's Ave Maria / Ellens dritter Gesang: those used in an arrangement titled Ave Maria and performed by the Zurich Sängerknaben, with Daniel Perret as the soprano voice. Although less widespread in use, this set of lyrics received some attention due to its use as the theme song for the Hitman: Blood Money
video game. A version is used in the soundtrack for the Hitman movie
(a film based on the video game franchise), sung by Christina England
. Contrary to popular belief, Jesper Kyd
did not arrange either composition.
plays out the ending of the film Alive
.
The song was included in both Hitman: Blood Money
and Hitman (2007 film)
and also used on the soundtrack of the video game Raven Shield.
The song is used as the basis of Beyoncé's song "Ave Maria" on her 2008 album I Am... Sasha Fierce. She performed the song on the televised lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in 2008, and on her "I Am" world tour.
The same version of this song, as performed by City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
, also appeared in the wedding scene of When in Rome (2010 film).
A version performed by Robert Rodriguez
' band Chingon
is used in the 2010 film Machete
.
It is also sung by Alexandra Ivanoff in one of the opening scenes of Prizzi's Honor
.
It was used in the Holby City
episode "My Bad".
It was also used in the West Wing episode "The Crackpots and these Women" in which Josh plays it and talks about how his older sister, who it is later reveled to have been killed in a house fire, used to play it constantly when they were younger.
It was used in the anime, La Corda D'Oro ~primo passo~,.
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
: "Ellen's Third Song", was composed by Franz Schubert
Franz Schubert
Franz Peter Schubert was an Austrian composer.Although he died at an early age, Schubert was tremendously prolific. He wrote some 600 Lieder, nine symphonies , liturgical music, operas, some incidental music, and a large body of chamber and solo piano music...
in 1825 as part of his Opus 52, a setting of seven songs from Walter Scott
Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet, popular throughout much of the world during his time....
's popular epic poem The Lady of the Lake
The Lady of the Lake (poem)
The Lady of the Lake is a narrative poem by Sir Walter Scott, first published in 1810. Set in the Trossachs region of Scotland, it is composed of six cantos, each of which concerns the action of a single day...
, loosely translated into German.
It has become one of Schubert's most popular works under the title of Ave Maria
Ave Maria
Ave Maria may refer to:*Ave Maria , the "Hail Mary", a traditional Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox prayer calling for the intercession of Mary, the mother of Jesus-Music:...
, in arrangements with various lyrics which commonly differ from the original context of the poem.
"The Lady of the Lake" and the "Ave Maria"
The piece was composed as a setting of a song from Walter ScottWalter Scott
Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet, popular throughout much of the world during his time....
's popular epic poem The Lady of the Lake
The Lady of the Lake (poem)
The Lady of the Lake is a narrative poem by Sir Walter Scott, first published in 1810. Set in the Trossachs region of Scotland, it is composed of six cantos, each of which concerns the action of a single day...
, in a German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
translation by Adam Storck (1780-1822), and thus forms part of Schubert's Liederzyklus vom Fräulein vom See.
In Scott's poem the character Ellen Douglas, the "Lady" of "the Lake" (Loch Katrine
Loch Katrine
Loch Katrine is a freshwater loch in the district of Stirling, Scotland. It is roughly 8 miles long by 2/3 of a mile wide and runs the length of Strath Gartney...
in the Scottish Highlands
Scottish Highlands
The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...
) has gone with her exiled father to stay in the "Goblin's cave" as he has declined to join their previous host, Roderick Dhu, in rebellion against King James. Roderick Dhu, the chieftain of Clan
Scottish clan
Scottish clans , give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs recognised by the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms which acts as an authority concerning matters of heraldry and Coat of Arms...
Alpine, sets off up the mountain with his warriors, but lingers and hears the distant sound of the harpist Allan-bane, accompanying Ellen who sings a prayer
Prayer
Prayer is a form of religious practice that seeks to activate a volitional rapport to a deity through deliberate practice. Prayer may be either individual or communal and take place in public or in private. It may involve the use of words or song. When language is used, prayer may take the form of...
addressed to the Virgin Mary, calling upon her for help. Roderick Dhu pauses, then goes on to battle.
Schubert's arrangement is said to have first been performed at the castle of Countess Sophie Weissenwolff in the little Austrian town of Steyregg
Steyregg
Steyregg is a municipality in the district of Urfahr-Umgebung in Upper Austria, Austria.-History:The town was once part of the territory owned by the Liechtenstein Family as a fiefdom, 'Lord of Steyregg' was one of the family's titles.-References:...
and dedicated to her, which led to her becoming known as "the lady of the lake" herself.
The opening words and refrain of Ellen's song, namely "Ave Maria" (Latin, "Hail Mary"), may have led to the idea of adapting Schubert's melody as a setting for the full text of the traditional Roman Catholic prayer
Prayer
Prayer is a form of religious practice that seeks to activate a volitional rapport to a deity through deliberate practice. Prayer may be either individual or communal and take place in public or in private. It may involve the use of words or song. When language is used, prayer may take the form of...
Ave Maria
Hail Mary
The Angelic Salutation, Hail Mary, or Ave Maria is a traditional biblical Catholic prayer asking for the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Hail Mary is used within the Catholic Church, and it forms the basis of the Rosary...
. The Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
version of the Ave Maria is now so frequently used with Schubert's melody that it has led to the misconception that he originally wrote the melody as a setting for the Ave Maria.
Recordings of the Latin version of Ave Maria set to Ellens dritter Gesang include:
- Ave Maria by Joan BaezJoan BaezJoan Chandos Baez is an American folk singer, songwriter, musician and a prominent activist in the fields of human rights, peace and environmental justice....
on the album NoëlNoel (Joan Baez album)Noël was a Christmas album by Joan Baez, released in 1966. Working with composer Peter Schickele , Baez, for the first time, recorded an album outside the standard guitar-based folk format...
, 1966 - Ave Maria by Stevie WonderStevie WonderStevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
on the album Someday at ChristmasSomeday at ChristmasSomeday at Christmas is a Christmas album by Stevie Wonder, released in 1967 under Motown Records. It was his eighth studio album release. It would also be re-released in 1978 with different cover art and different Catalog number...
, 1967 - Ave Maria by Perry ComoPerry ComoPierino Ronald "Perry" Como was an American singer and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with them in 1943. "Mr...
on the album The Perry Como Christmas AlbumThe Perry Como Christmas AlbumThe Perry Como Christmas Album was Perry Como's 15th RCA Victor 12" long-play album, the 13th recorded in full "living" stereophonic sound and the fourth featuring Dynagroove technology....
, 1968 - Ave Maria by José CarrerasJosé CarrerasJosep Maria Carreras i Coll , better known as José Carreras , is a Spanish Catalan tenor particularly known for his performances in the operas of Verdi and Puccini...
on the album Merry Christmas, 1986 - Ave Maria by Luciano PavarottiLuciano Pavarottiright|thumb|Luciano Pavarotti performing at the opening of the Constantine Palace in [[Strelna]], 31 May 2003. The concert was part of the celebrations for the 300th anniversary of [[St...
on the album Oh Holy Night, 1990 - Ave Maria by Aaron NevilleAaron NevilleAaron Neville is an American soul and R&B singer and musician. He has had four top-20 hits in the United States along with four platinum-certified albums...
on the album Warm Your HeartWarm Your Heart (Aaron Neville album)Warm Your Heart is a 1991 album released by American R&B/soul singer Aaron Neville, . The album features the singles "Everybody Plays the Fool", "Somewhere, Somebody" and "Close Your Eyes". The "Close Your Eyes" single also featured album producer Linda Ronstadt on guest vocals...
, 1991 - Ave Maria by Frank PattersonFrank PattersonFrank Patterson was an internationally renowned Irish tenor following in the tradition of singers such as Count John McCormack and Josef Locke. He was known as "Ireland's Golden Tenor".- Early life :...
on the album Amazing Grace, 1996 - Ave Maria by Andrea BocelliAndrea BocelliAndrea Bocelli, is an Italian tenor, multi-instrumentalist and classical crossover artist. Born with poor eyesight, he became blind at the age of twelve following a soccer accident....
on the album Sacred Arias, 1999 - Ave Maria by Barbra StreisandBarbra StreisandBarbra Joan Streisand is an American singer, actress, film producer and director. She has won two Academy Awards, eight Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards, a Special Tony Award, an American Film Institute award, a Peabody Award, and is one of the few entertainers who have won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy,...
on the album Christmas MemoriesChristmas MemoriesChristmas Memories is the second Christmas album and 57th album by singer Barbra Streisand, released in 2001. The album reached Number 15 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart and has been certified as Platinum, her 28th platinum disk in America...
, 2001 - Ave Maria by Sarah BrightmanSarah BrightmanSarah Brightman is an English classical crossover soprano, actress, songwriter and dancer. She is famous for possessing a vocal range of over 3 octaves and singing in the whistle register...
on the album Classics (Sarah Brightman album)Classics (Sarah Brightman album)Classics is Sarah Brightman's 2001 album, between La Luna and Encore. It consists in part of previously released material, such as "Time to Say Goodbye" and "Pie Jesu", and new titles such as "Ave Maria" and "Recuerdos de la Alhambra". Entertainment Weekly, although calling Brightman a "stronger...
, 2001 - Ave Maria by VitasVitasVitaliy "Vitalik" Vladasovich Grachyov , better known by his stage name Vitas , is a Russian singer-songwriter.Known for his high falsetto voice, he has been given the nickname "Prince of the Dolphin Voice" in China...
on albuns Smile!Smile! (Vitas album)Smile! is a Russian album by Vitas , released in 2002. Several songs from this album featured in his Philosophy of Miracle concert programme, whose performance at the Kremlin earned Vitas a record as the youngest artist to perform a solo concert at the State Kremlin Palace; a DVD of this concert...
, 2001; and Masterpieces of Three Centuries, 2010 - Ave Maria by Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn BridgeJohnny Maestro & The Brooklyn BridgeJohnny Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge is an American musical group, best known for their million selling rendition of Jimmy Webb's "The Worst That Could Happen" .-History:...
on the albums Peace On EarthPeace on EarthPeace on Earth may refer to:*Peace on Earth, a phrase meaning the concept of world peace*The Biblical phrase "Peace on Earth, good will to men" used in the Annunciation to the shepherds...
, 2002 and Songs Of InspirationSongs of InspirationSongs of Inspiration is a studio album by American country music group Alabama. It was released by RCA Records on October 24, 2006. The album debuted at #1 on both the Top Country Albums and Top Christian Albums charts.-Track listing:...
, 2007 - Ave Maria by Tarja TurunenTarja TurunenTarja Soile Susanna Turunen Cabuli is a Finnish singer-songwriter and composer. She is a full lyric soprano and has a vocal range of three octaves....
on the album Henkäys IkuisuudestaHenkäys Ikuisuudesta-Breath from Eternity Tour:To promote the album, Turunen a released a special tour playing in Finland and also in Russia; on December 6, 2006, Turunen performed a big concert at the Sibelius Hall in Lahti, Finland and the full show was live broadcasted by the Finnish channel YLE TV2 for 450,000...
, 2006 - Ave Maria by ChanticleerChanticleer (ensemble)Based in San Francisco, California, Chanticleer is a full-time classical vocal ensemble in the United States. Over the last three decades, it has developed a major reputation for its interpretations of Renaissance music, but it also performs a wide repertoire of jazz, gospel, and other venturesome...
on the album Let It Snow, 2007 - Ave Maria by Kousuke AtariKousuke AtariKousuke Atari is a J-Pop artist, born July 13, 1980, on Amami island, Japan. Hailing from Amami-Oshima in southern Japan, Atari Kousuke is a folk singer currently signed to Epic Records Japan...
on the album Yurai Bana, 2007 - Ave Maria by Mylène FarmerMylène FarmerMylène Farmer, , born Marie-Hélène Jeanne Gautier, , , is a French singer, songwriter, occasional actress and author....
as a hidden track on the special edition of the album Point de suturePoint de SuturePoint de Suture is the seventh studio album by French singer-songwriter Mylène Farmer, and her 14th album overall. Preceded by the lead single "Dégénération", it was released digitally on 20 August 2008, then on CD five days later...
, 2008 - Ave Maria by Generation Gap on the album A New Beginning, 2009
- Ave Maria by Hollie SteelHollie SteelHollie Steel is a singer and performer from Huncoat, Lancashire, England. At the age of ten she was one of ten finalists on the third series of the ITV reality show Britain's Got Talent....
on the album Hollie, 2010 - Ave Maria by Micaela Haley on the album Syren, 2009
- Ave Maria by Michael Buble 2011
Position within the cycle
In 1825, Schubert composed a selection of seven songs from Scott's The Lady of the Lake. They were published in 1826 as his op. 52.The songs are not intended for a single performer: the three songs of Ellen are piano songs for a woman's voice, while the songs for Norman and the Count of Douglas were intended for the baritone Johann Michael Vogl
Johann Michael Vogl
Johann Michael Vogl , was an Austrian baritone singer and composer. Though famous in his day, he is remembered mainly for his close professional relationship and friendship with composer Franz Schubert....
. The remaining two songs are written one for a male and the other for a female ensemble.
- Ellens Gesang I D 837 Raste Krieger, Krieg ist aus / "Soldier rest! the warfare o’er"
- Ellens Gesang II D 838 Jäger, ruhe von der Jagd / "Huntsman, rest! thy chase is done"
- Bootgesang D 835 Triumph, er naht / "Hail to the chief", for male voice quartet
- Coronach (Deathsong of the women and girls) D 836 Er ist uns geschieden / "He is gone to the mountain", for female choir
- Normans Gesang D 846 Die Nacht bricht bald herein ("Night will soon be falling")
- Ellens Gesang III (Hymn to the Virgin) D 839 Ave Maria! Jungfrau mild! / "Ave Maria! maiden mild!"
- Lied des gefangenen Jägers D 843 Mein Roß so müd / "My steed is tired"
Schubert composed the songs to the German texts. However, with the exception of No. 5, the songs were clearly intended to be published with the original English texts as well. This meant finding correspondences to Storck's sometimes quite free translations, which entailed significant difficulties.
The words of "Ellens dritter Gesang"
Storck's translation used by Schubert Ave Maria! Jungfrau mild, Erhöre einer Jungfrau Flehen, Aus diesem Felsen starr und wild Soll mein Gebet zu dir hin wehen. Wir schlafen sicher bis zum Morgen, Ob Menschen noch so grausam sind. O Jungfrau, sieh der Jungfrau Sorgen, O Mutter, hör ein bittend Kind! Ave Maria! Ave Maria! Unbefleckt! Wenn wir auf diesen Fels hinsinken Zum Schlaf, und uns dein Schutz bedeckt Wird weich der harte Fels uns dünken. Du lächelst, Rosendüfte wehen In dieser dumpfen Felsenkluft, O Mutter, höre Kindes Flehen, O Jungfrau, eine Jungfrau ruft! Ave Maria! Ave Maria! Reine Magd! Der Erde und der Luft Dämonen, Von deines Auges Huld verjagt, Sie können hier nicht bei uns wohnen, Wir woll'n uns still dem Schicksal beugen, Da uns dein heil'ger Trost anweht; Der Jungfrau wolle hold dich neigen, Dem Kind, das für den Vater fleht. Ave Maria! | Hymn to the Virgin by Sir Walter Scott Ave Maria! maiden mild! Listen to a maiden's prayer! Thou canst hear though from the wild; Thou canst save amid despair. Safe may we sleep beneath thy care, Though banish'd, outcast and reviled - Maiden! hear a maiden's prayer; Mother, hear a suppliant child! Ave Maria Ave Maria! undefiled! The flinty couch we now must share Shall seem this down of eider piled, If thy protection hover there. The murky cavern's heavy air Shall breathe of balm if thou hast smiled; Then, Maiden! hear a maiden's prayer, Mother, list a suppliant child! Ave Maria! Ave Maria! stainless styled. Foul demons of the earth and air, From this their wonted haunt exiled, Shall flee before thy presence fair. We bow us to our lot of care, Beneath thy guidance reconciled; Hear for a maid a maiden's prayer, And for a father hear a child! Ave Maria. |
Use in Disney's Fantasia
Walt DisneyWalt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
used Schubert's song in the final part of Fantasia 1940
Fantasia (film)
Fantasia is a 1940 American animated film produced by Walt Disney and released by Walt Disney Productions. The third feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series, the film consists of eight animated segments set to pieces of classical music conducted by Leopold Stokowski, seven of which are...
, where he linked it to Modest Mussorgsky
Modest Mussorgsky
Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky was a Russian composer, one of the group known as 'The Five'. He was an innovator of Russian music in the romantic period...
's Night on Bald Mountain
Night on Bald Mountain
Night on Bald Mountain is a composition by Modest Mussorgsky that exists in, at least, two versions—a seldom performed 1867 version or a later and very popular "fantasy for orchestra" arranged by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, A Night on the Bare Mountain , based on the vocal score of the "Dream Vision...
in one of his most famous pastiche
Pastiche
A pastiche is a literary or other artistic genre or technique that is a "hodge-podge" or imitation. The word is also a linguistic term used to describe an early stage in the development of a pidgin language.-Hodge-podge:...
s. The end of Mussorgsky's work blends with almost no break into the beginning of Schubert's song, and as Deems Taylor remarked, the bells in "Night on Bald Mountain", originally meant to signal the coming of dawn, which cause the demon Chernabog to stop his dark worship and the ghosts to return to the grave, now seem to be church bells signalling the beginning of religious services. A procession of monks is shown walking along. The text for this version is sung in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, and was written by Rachel Field
Rachel Field
Rachel Lyman Field was an American novelist, poet, and author of children's fiction. She is best known for her Newbery Medal–winning novel for young adults, Hitty, Her First Hundred Years, published in 1929. She won the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award twice...
. This version also had three stanzas, like Schubert's original, but only the third stanza made it into the film (one line in the last stanza is partially repeated to show how it is sung in the film):
Ave Maria!
Now your ageless bell
so sweetly sounds for listening ears,
from heights of Heaven to brink of Hell
in tender notes have echoed through the years.
Aloft from earth's far boundaries
Each poor petition, every prayer,
the hopes of foolish ones and wise
must mount in thanks or grim despair.
Ave Maria!
Ave Maria!
You were not spared one pang of flesh, or mortal tear;
So rough the paths your feet have shared,
So great the bitter burden of your fear.
Your heart has bled with every beat.
In dust you laid your weary head,
the hopeless vigil of defeat was yours
and flinty stone for bread
Ave Maria!
Ave Maria!
Heaven's Bride.
The bells ring out in solemn praise,
for you, the anguish and the pride.
The living glory of our nights,
of our nights and days.
The Prince of Peace your arms embrace,
while hosts of darkness fade and cower.
Oh save us, mother full of grace,
In life and in our dying hour,
Ave Maria!
The version heard in Fantasia was made by Leopold Stokowski
Leopold Stokowski
Leopold Anthony Stokowski was a British-born, naturalised American orchestral conductor, well known for his free-hand performing style that spurned the traditional baton and for obtaining a characteristically sumptuous sound from many of the great orchestras he conducted.In America, Stokowski...
especially for the film, and unlike the original, which is for a solo voice, is scored for soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
and mixed chorus
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
, accompanied by the string section of the Philadelphia Orchestra
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. One of the "Big Five" American orchestras, it was founded in 1900...
. The soloist is Julietta Novis.
The liner notes for the soundtrack LP of Fantasia, released by Disneyland Records
Disneyland Records
Disneyland Records is the original name of the Walt Disney Company's record company.After long associations with primarily RCA Victor Records, with a few select titles on Capitol, Disneyland Records was established by the Disney studio in 1956 with its first release entitled A Child's Garden of...
(mono) and Buena Vista Records (stereo), and the booklet for the CD, released by Walt Disney Records
Walt Disney Records
Walt Disney Records is a family music record label owned by the Walt Disney Company. Walt Disney Records was formed in 1956 as Disneyland Records. Before that time, Disney recordings were licensed out to a variety of other labels such as . It was Walt Disney’s brother Roy O...
, do not contain the Rachel Field lyric.
Ave Maria (set to Schubert's music)
There is at least one additional set of lyrics for Schubert's Ave Maria / Ellens dritter Gesang: those used in an arrangement titled Ave Maria and performed by the Zurich Sängerknaben, with Daniel Perret as the soprano voice. Although less widespread in use, this set of lyrics received some attention due to its use as the theme song for the Hitman: Blood Money
Hitman: Blood Money
Hitman: Blood Money is a stealth game developed by IO Interactive and published by Eidos Interactive. It is the fourth entry in the Hitman game series....
video game. A version is used in the soundtrack for the Hitman movie
Hitman (2007 film)
Hitman is a 2007 film directed by Xavier Gens and based on the video game series of the same name. A gun-for-hire "Hitman" is a genetically-engineered assassin known as Agent 47. He is hired by a group, 'The Organization' and becomes ensnared in a political conspiracy. He finds himself pursued by...
(a film based on the video game franchise), sung by Christina England
Christina England
Christina England Hale is a classically trained singer born in Logan, Utah in 1982. Starting out in the Cache Children's Choir, she has been performing since she was five years of age. Commencing private voice lessons at age 9, she has been studying and singing ever since. Her first album, "Be...
. Contrary to popular belief, Jesper Kyd
Jesper Kyd
Jesper Jakobson Kyd is a Danish video game and film score composer.Kyd combines sounds of dark ambient, electronic and symphonic music and has won many awards. He is also notable for his early work in the Amiga demoscene, where he composed a large amount of music in his teenage years, in...
did not arrange either composition.
Original German Ave Maria! Jungfrau mild, Erhöre deiner Kinder Flehen, im Tal der Tränen sei uns Schild lass mein Gebet zu dir hinwehen. Wir schlafen sicher bis zum Morgen, dein Sternenmantel deckt uns zu. O Jungfrau, siehe unsere Sorgen, O schenke unsern Herzen Ruh! Ave Maria! Ave Maria! Reine Magd! Wir wollen gläubig dir vertrauen du süsse Jungfrau, unverzagt voll Hoffnung zu dir aufwärts schauen, und still uns Gottes Willen beugen, da uns dein heilger Trost anweht. O Jungfrau, wolle hold dich neigen dem Kind, das bittend zu dir fleht. Ave Maria! | Direct English translation Ave Maria! Maiden mild, Heed your children's prayers, In the valley of tears, be our shield Let my prayer waft to you. We sleep safely until morning, Your cloak of stars covers us. O Maiden, see our worries, O give peace to our hearts! Ave Maria! Ave Maria! Pure maidservant! We want to trust in you faithfully You, sweet maiden, undaunted Full of hope, to you gaze upward, And calmly bend God's Will to us, That your holy solace may drift to us. O Maiden, full of grace, tend to us The child, that suppliantly entreats you. Ave Maria! |
Latin Catholic Prayer Version Ave Maria, gratia plena, Maria, gratia plena, Maria, gratia plena, Ave, Ave, Dominus, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus, Et benedictus fructus ventris, Ventris tui, Jesus. Ave Maria! Ave Maria, Mater Dei, Ora pro nobis peccatoribus, Ora, ora pro nobis; Ora, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, Nunc et in hora mortis, In hora mortis nostrae. In hora, hora mortis nostrae, In hora mortis nostrae. Ave Maria! | Direct English translation Ave Maria, full of grace, Maria, full of grace, Maria, full of grace, Hail, Hail, the Lord The Lord is with you. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed, Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Thy womb, Jesus. Ave Maria! Ave Maria, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners, Pray, pray for us; Pray for us sinners, Now, and at the hour of our death, The hour of our death. The hour, the hour of our death, The hour of our death. Ave Maria! |
Use in popular culture
A version of the song performed by Aaron NevilleAaron Neville
Aaron Neville is an American soul and R&B singer and musician. He has had four top-20 hits in the United States along with four platinum-certified albums...
plays out the ending of the film Alive
Alive (1993 film)
Alive is a 1993 American movie based upon Piers Paul Read's 1974 book Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors, which details the story of a Uruguayan rugby team who were involved in the crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which crashed into the Andes mountains on October 13, 1972.The film was...
.
The song was included in both Hitman: Blood Money
Hitman: Blood Money
Hitman: Blood Money is a stealth game developed by IO Interactive and published by Eidos Interactive. It is the fourth entry in the Hitman game series....
and Hitman (2007 film)
Hitman (2007 film)
Hitman is a 2007 film directed by Xavier Gens and based on the video game series of the same name. A gun-for-hire "Hitman" is a genetically-engineered assassin known as Agent 47. He is hired by a group, 'The Organization' and becomes ensnared in a political conspiracy. He finds himself pursued by...
and also used on the soundtrack of the video game Raven Shield.
The song is used as the basis of Beyoncé's song "Ave Maria" on her 2008 album I Am... Sasha Fierce. She performed the song on the televised lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in 2008, and on her "I Am" world tour.
The same version of this song, as performed by City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra is a professional, philharmonic symphony orchestra, over 61 years old, predominantly it is composed of Czech and Slovak classical and jazz musicians...
, also appeared in the wedding scene of When in Rome (2010 film).
A version performed by Robert Rodriguez
Robert Rodriguez
Robert Anthony Rodríguez is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer, editor and musician. He shoots and produces many of his films in his native Texas and Mexico. He has directed such films as Desperado, From Dusk till Dawn, The Faculty, Spy Kids, Sin City, Planet...
' band Chingon
Chingon (band)
Chingon is a Mexican rock band based in Austin, Texas. Their sound is heavily influenced by mariachi, ranchera, and Texan rock 'n roll music.-History:...
is used in the 2010 film Machete
Machete (film)
Machete is a 2010 action film directed by Robert Rodriguez and Ethan Maniquis. The "Machete" character originates from the 2001 Spy Kids film, written and directed by Robert Rodriguez. This film is an expansion of a fake trailer that was released together with Rodriguez's and Quentin Tarantino's...
.
It is also sung by Alexandra Ivanoff in one of the opening scenes of Prizzi's Honor
Prizzi's Honor
Prizzi's Honor is a 1985 American black comedy film directed by John Huston. It stars Jack Nicholson, Kathleen Turner, Robert Loggia and Anjelica Huston.The film was adapted by Richard Condon and Janet Roach from Condon's novel of the same name...
.
It was used in the Holby City
Holby City
Holby City, stylised as Holby Ci+y, is a British medical drama television series that airs weekly on BBC One.The series was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama Casualty, and premiered on 12 January 1999...
episode "My Bad".
It was also used in the West Wing episode "The Crackpots and these Women" in which Josh plays it and talks about how his older sister, who it is later reveled to have been killed in a house fire, used to play it constantly when they were younger.
It was used in the anime, La Corda D'Oro ~primo passo~,.
Media
Performed by American Mezzo-Soprano Dorothea Fayne, accompanied by Uwe Streibel (Piano).External links
- Free typeset sheet music from Cantorion.org for voice and piano.
- edition by William J. Rolfe, Boston 1883 pdf, with the song on page 58, and notes on alternate words on page 177
- The Lady of the Lake (Gutenberg e-text #3011) The full text of Walter Scott's poem, including Hymn to the Virgin