“Ave Maria” (Bach/Gounod) arranged by Justin Neway
Ave Maria (Arranged by Justin Neway)
In 2003, my dad sent me a beat-up old recording of some ladies singing Ave Maria with harp accompaniment (his favorite version by Gounod), and asked me if I could do anything to clean up the audio with my “fancy software.” It was too far gone for me to make any real improvements in the audio itself, so instead, I created this new version with my own arrangement (original as far as I know).
Its now published it to the music streaming service, licensed as a cover of the the classic originally composed by J.S. Bach 1722 and popularized by the addition of the Ave Maria lyric by C. Gounod in 1859. s yesterday. I feel deeply honored to be in such august musical company, even if its only by involuntary association on their part.
I made the cover artwork from a 35mm Kodachrome slide of the rose window of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, which I took during Julie and my visit there 1977, so seems appropriate for the music.
The second half is where my arrangement “strays” most from the original.
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Three short musical interludes composed by Justin Neway for the two Audiobooks: “Admission: A Story Born Of Africa” and “Transition: An Adam Broadford Story from Africa to Canada” written and read by Richard Michelle-Pentelbury.
“Limbezi Africa” by Justin Neway
Limbezi Africa
“Limbezi Britinnia” by Justin Neway
Limbezi Britannia
“Limbezi Transition” by Justin Neway
Limbezi Transition
“Admission: A Story Born of Africa” (Sample Reading). CLICK HERE to download the Audiobook from Amazon
Admission: A Story Born of Africa (Sample Reading)
“Transition: From Africa to Canada” (Sample Reading). CLICK HERE to download the Audiobook from Amazon
Transition: Adam Broadford’s Story from Africa to Canada (Sample Reading)
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Intro and exit clips composed by Justin Neway for a podcast project.
“News Flash Intro” by Justin Neway
News Flash Intro
“News Flash Exit” by Justin Neway
News Flash Exit
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I listened to a dozen or so versions to be better versed in the typical arrangements and melodies of Ave Maria. I find your interpretation to be particularly beautiful. For me, it conveys awe, reverence, hopefulness and perhaps a touch of melancholy at times. I especially enjoyed the impactful and sublime key change at 2:14 in the “vocal” part, as well as the expertly interwoven aspects of your arrangement and how they resolve together at the end.
Depth, compassion, validity, and insight combine to create music of profound significance; a tremendous gift to have!