Ave maris stella I

Today, December 8th, is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrates the solemn belief in the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is universally celebrated on December 8, nine months before the feast of the Nativity of Mary, which is celebrated on September 8.

In reality, "Ave maris stella" is not proper to the day, but, it is a Marian hymn, and helps us to meditate on the upcoming Feast of the Nativity.

Marcel Dupré (1886-1971) is amongst the most famous of 20th century organ composers and performers. He is most well-known for having served at St. Sulpice in Paris from 1934 until his death.

"Ave maris stella I" is taken from the "Fifteen Pieces" published by Dupré in 1920. The works are now published by H. W. Gray. There are "three books" included, and these are divided into "5 Antiphons", "4 settings of 'Ave maris stella", and "6 settings of phrases from the Magnificat". There are "dedicated to Monsieur C. J. and his sympathetic visits to the Grand Orgue of Notre Dame, Paris in 1920."

This setting is inspired by the text, "With the Salutation Gabriel had Spoken." It is a canon in the fourth between the soprano and bass.

The registration is Fonds et Anches 16, 8, 4 of the Recit, coupled to Fonds 16' 8' 4' of the Grand Orgue. The Pedale uses Fonds 32', 16', 8', and is coupled to the GO.

This organ doesn't have a 32' stop in the Pedale, but the effect is still excellent.

I've never been that much of a "Dupré fan," but I used to play most of the pieces in this collection. I haven't bothered to keep them up, and this is the first that I've played any of them in a LONG time.

Photos of Dupré and St. Sulpice are attached below.


Ave Maris Stella (Latin, "Hail Star of the Sea") is a plainsong Vespers hymn to Mary from about the eighth century. It was especially popular in the Middle Ages and has been used by many composers as the basis of other compositions.