Description

Gounod demonstrated a willingness to reinterpret the works of earlier composers in his own unique style. In 1852, he infused a new melody, complete with an operatic climax, into the renowned arpeggios of Bach’s C-major Prelude BWV 846 from the Well-Tempered Clavier. Initially, he released instrumental versions titled “Méditation” and subsequently experimented with various texts until he finalized the vocal version in 1859, using the text of the Ave Maria. By the 1890s, it was noted that this enchanting melody had been performed countless times by esteemed female vocalists, and its enduring popularity persists today. This widespread acclaim prompted Henle Verlag to produce an Urtext edition of this global favorite, grounded in original sources and accompanied by critical commentary. In 1859, alongside the original high voice edition, versions for middle and low voices were also published, likely at the request of the publishers. Following this precedent, the Henle Urtext edition of “Ave Maria” is available in two transpositions for lower vocal ranges.