Ave Maria (version 1)

Schubert composed his Ave Maria in 1825, originally for voice and piano. In 1885, the German violinist August Wilhelmj adapted it as a showpiece for violin and piano. In 2000, the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra commissioned me to orchestrate Wilhelmj's arrangement for solo violin, strings, and harp. After revising it in 2024, this became version 1 of the arrangement. This version was written specifically for a concert that would use a small string ensemble of 11 players (6 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos, and 1 double bass). I decided to treat it as a large chamber group of 11 soloists, although it can easily be played by a full string orchestra as well. There are also two other versions which I did on my own initiative in 2021. The first (version 2) is scored for solo violin, string orchestra, harp, and organ (with alternative parts for 9 winds which can replace the organ if necessary). Version 3 omits the solo violin but uses the same ensemble as version 2.