Ave Maria by Bach/Gounod Played by Accordion, Violin and Harp

“Put aside any prejudice you may have about the accordion, and carefully listen to this compilation of Marian music assembled by master accordionist Henry Doktorski. With the skill of a poet, Doktorski has arranged 25 hymns and presented them with varied textures, in every imaginable genre from simple melodic chant, to melody with accompaniment, to all out accordion panache. In the fingers and hands of Doktorski, the cherished melodies soar with lyric fluidity, all the time keeping sight of the reason for their existence-to honor the Mother of God.”-Kenneth G. Danchik, Associate Organist, Saint Paul Cathedral, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Track 25 Ave Maria is the famous 1859 adaptation of the first prelude from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier by Charles Gounod (1818-1893). Gounod was a French composer, best known for his operas Faust and Roméo et Juliette, and his Messe Sollennelle, also known as the Saint Cecilia Mass. This recording of Ave Maria features Henry Doktorski on accordion along with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra violinist and concertmaster Hui Sheng Kao, and PSO principal harpist Gretchen Van Hoesen.
On this CD Henry Doktorski performs beautiful and artistic arrangements of 25 beloved Marian hymns from the 11th through the 20th centuries, including five different settings of Ave Maria. Truly a treasure for lovers of the classical accordion, connoisseurs of sacred music, and devotees of our Blessed Mother.
For program notes, see henrydoktorski....
To listen to all 25 tracks, go to this playlist: • Ave Maria: 25 Hymns to... .