Ave virgo sanctissima

Ave virgo sanctissima was commissioned by Robert Sharpe and the Choir of York Minster, for the service of Nine Lessons and Carols in 2023. The text is a lyrical prayer which praises the virtue of Mary with grand and opulent language; musically, this is echoed by a florid and warm soundworld. After a gentle opening section with flowing melodic lines, the music takes on a more tender, fragile mood, to evoke the floral metaphors which express Mary's delicate beauty. Ideas from the opening return, expanding to fill the full range of the choir, with rich bass notes and soaring treble lines. This final gesture aims to capture the resplendence of the text. The piece closes with a soft melody which floats skywards into the upper voices. This setting would suit an experienced choir as an anthem or concert piece, originally intended for the Christmas season, but equally fit for occasions throughout the year as a devotional piece.