Description
Gounod demonstrated a willingness to reinterpret the works of earlier composers in his own unique style. In 1852, he enhanced the renowned arpeggios of Bach’s C-major Prelude BWV 846 from the Well-Tempered Clavier by adding a new melody that featured its own operatic climax. Initially, he released instrumental versions titled “Méditation” and subsequently experimented with various texts for the melody. By 1859, he finalized the vocal version 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 has persisted to this day. This widespread acclaim has prompted Henle Verlag to produce an Urtext edition of this beloved piece, grounded in original sources and accompanied by critical commentary.
