Ave Regina caelorum

Instrumentation

AABar [or SAT] soli, SATB

Other Information

Dedicated to Philip Manser, one of the finest countertenors of his generation, this motet was first performed at St Asaph Cathedral, August 1976 with a second performance in Chester Cathedral a few days later, conducted by the composer, and there have been many performances all over the world since its publication by Roberton Publications [85180] in 1982. The definitive recording was made by Lincoln Cathedral Choir in 1982 and this was re-released on CD in 2007 [Priory Records PRAB 101]. The soloists on the recording are Philip Manser & Richard Thornton [countertenors] with Terence Millward [tenor].

From the original cover notes by Dr Philip Marshall:

“This short work, from the composer’s Introit and The Litanie, was written in 1974. The idiom is mystical and sensitive, showing and original mind, with a sense of vocal line and a deft and delicate handling of dissonance”

The first known London performance of Ave Regina caelorum was at St Luke´s Church, Chelsea, by the Barbican Motet Singers on December 6th 1986 conducted by Craig McLeish with the soloists Eilidh Ross, Mhairi Ellis & Philip Daggett and this is the recording heard on this site.

This motet´s most recent performances by Kingfisher Chorale (directed by Giles Turner) were at St Martin´s Church Stamford on June 30th 2012 and Leicester Cathedral on October 12th 2013 with the soloists Anne Whitehouse, Clem Brine and Mark Smyth.

The images show the cover of the published work [which can be sung in English or Latin], the CD cover for the 2007 re-release of the Lincoln Cathedral album and the music sheet from Lincoln showing the work having been chosen for the installation of the Bishop of Grimsby on March 24th 1979.