Ave Maria (2021)

difficulty: medium

duration: 2’42

instrumentation: horn quartet

Ave Maria (1930) was set to SATB choir with baritone solo by R. Nathaniel Dett. The English text is by Fredrick H. Martens. It is a short chorale of fifty - two measures, predominantly in the key of F, with some cadences arriving briefly at d and g minor. The piece has smoothly moving parts, few rests, interesting progressions, and a few dissonances that resolve smoothly. There are peaks and valleys throughout, resulting in a soaring climax and comforting conclusion. The piece was sung by the Hampton Choir, of which Dett was conductor, on their European tour. (Follow Me, 1993, Simon)

Ave Maria has been adapted for four horns by the composer and aims to capture many of the aspects of the original Dett piece. It can be performed as a concert opener or adapted as a horn ensemble warm - up piece. Ave Maria for four horns is a part of a series of pieces which Douglas has transcribed for groups of varying instrumentation, in an effort to spread awareness regarding minority composers.