Customer Reviews

The Ave Maria Album

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This beautiful aria is interpreted 16 ways by several renown singers and composers, so I'm sure you'll find your own personal favorites among the different versions. Each rendition has its own descriptor, and I found myself thinking "riveting", "exhilerating", "captivating", "evocative", "inspiring", or even "heartbreaking" for the same compelling music. To me, even the old fashioned, ragged recordings herein had a certain charm, and I don't mind the 'scratchiness' at all. I believe my Dad would sing Franz Schubert's 'Ave Maria' as interpreted by tenor Jerry Hadley -- I swear it literally brought tears to my eyes when I first heard it. As a child, I remember the delight I took in hearing my Dad sing with all the passion and drama of an artiste -- and you know, for a man who didn't even know all the lyrics, he sounded pretty darn good in our old bathroom! Seriously, this is a wonderful collection, even without the reminiscent sentimentality. I highly recommend it.

I was looking for something special two Christmases ago and found this nestled between rare classical CDs in our local shoppe. I listened to the selections, the artists and the expressive interpretations of the AVE MARIA aria by those composers (Verdi, Gounod, Bach, Schubert). I also found the voices of Price, MacDonald, Domingo, Lanza, Ponselle, Vaness, Caruso, Anderson, McCormack and Hadley totally unique to their personalities, their time and their idea of how to express love for Mary, the Mother of Jesus, for whom this timeless aria was written. Bravo!

3 years ago I was severely injured and paralyzed. While in intensive care, after my days that were filled with pain and fear, I would listen to this CD in the dark still of the night. It brought great comfort. I have made a rather miraculous recovery and have a wonderful new little daughter. She loves to listen to the CD with a bottle as she is going to sleep.

Other CD's have various versions of Ave Maria, as does this one. What distinguishes this CD is the quality of the recordings, the reverent tone of the vocalists, and the impressive blending of the singers and orchestras. Some versions inpsire an awesome silence, attracting our focus on these hymns and their solemnity. Ave Maria continually provides a respite from the world--it is so intense. These Ave Maria hymns are captivating enough by their music alone. The meaning adds the intended spiritual dimension. This album comes highly recommended.

I read the other reviews, and I agree...some of the versions could be skipped. However, that is the only bad thing I will say about this CD! The other songs definitely are worth purchasing this.

Before I bought this CD through a book club, I had only known of the Schubert version. Having heard all, now I love the Verdi one, and when Price sings it, it brings tears to my eyes. Ricciarelli's Verdi is also nice. If you are wanting music to make your spirit soar, this is a great CD. It's also an excellent selection for a gift for someone with spiritual and classical or opera music leanings. I hope you enjoy it!

Some of the performances were quite nice, who wouldn't like Leotyne Price or Placido Domingo singing this wonderful genre of songs. The Vaness piece from Othello was surprisingly beautiful and laced with emotion. At least a couple of other performers could have been dropped so that Jessye Norman and Kathleen Battle's versions of Ave Maria could have been included.

My husband and I listen to this all the time .. whatever
version is your preference, you can probably find it on this
album. Excellent.

This CD was a gift for someone who loves the classic Ave Maria, and it delivers an assortment of the most beautiful recordings of the hymn ever made. Just lovely!

This is exactly what I wanted...several different versions of Ave Maria.
WOuld buy again from this seller...good product and good service...thanks

The selections were interesting. Hearing how each performer sang them was also nice. Considering that some of the recordings were from the early 20th century they were very nicely mastered for now. As thrilling as when I was sitting in a movie theater watching Fantasia and feeling chills run up and down my spine during the Ave Maria segment.