Sometimes the accustomed, oft-repeated words lose some of their poignancy, of their edge; it is a natural and very human process, no matter how beautiful these words might have been, in their original form and meaning. In such moments, though, perhaps a rephrasing, a re-expression that goes directly to the lived, everyday experience (instead of the metaphor) is one of the paths to follow, in order to regain that original freshness of meaning.
The much beloved song, "Ave Maria" - more precisely, "Schubert's Ave Maria" - is in fact an adaptation of a piece written by Franz Schubert, as part of his seven song suite that was based on Walter Scott's poem, The Lady of the Lake. Thus, what we now know as "Schubert's Ave Maria" is an adaptation of "Ellen's Third Song" from said suite; a song which, in its original as well, is a prayer to Mary; but whose Scottian lyrics were replaced with the words of the traditional "Hail Mary" ("full of grace...") prayer. Beautiful music, Schubert's composition - and beautiful words, of the traditional prayer... but by now this is a song so often sung - and sung, more often than not, unsubtly, and "for effect" (relying on a given, guaranteed effect), that I wonder if its real beauty and content have not been obscured by now (at least a bit) for many of us. It is like Leonardo's Mona Lisa or The Last Supper; everybody knows these objects, and that they are supposed to be "important" and "beautiful;" so much so that by now their "fame" and "radiated image" have in fact obscured (for most viewers) the direct access to, and encounter with, the artistic object itself.
While I do not think that that is necessarily the case with the "Hail Mary" prayer itself (although that, too, can happen, of course), it certainly is when it comes to the song, to "Schubert's Ave Maria". Especially since, as said, most of the interpretations that we usually hear are, at the end of the day, unsubtle, inattentive, hurried; they always remain superficial, because they rely mostly on the superficial and guaranteed effect that this song will have on the listeners. Sort of a "greatest hit" syndrome.
It is in this context, then, that I was so pleasantly surprised by, and taken with, Jessye Norman's interpretation of the original "Ellen's Third Song" (which, as said, is a Marian prayer, as well) - a performance that I found so refreshing: fresh both with artistic beauty, and with meaning. And this has to do, on the one hand, with Ms. Norman's interpretation, which enthralls one with the care and close attention given to each line, vibrato, emphasis and intensification - and to the clear pronunciation of the German words, as well. Because, yes, the lyrics also contribute to the effect - lyrics which are, in fact, the very earthly, grounded prayer of (what sounds like) an ordinary girl.
For example:
"Listen to a maiden’s entreaty
... We shall sleep safely until morning,
however cruel men may be." etc.
Not very high-minded, not very metaphorical, but immediate and genuine-sounding, and therefore persuasive; these are the words that any girl might or could say, as her evening prayer, isn't it?
And these two factors - the attentive and delicate musical performance, and the accessible, immediate, and thus fresh anew words, contribute to making "Schubert's Ave Maria" song that we (think we) know so well, fresh again - with reinvigorated meaning (because what is Ave Maria if not the simple evening prayer of a simple man), and with rediscovered admiration for the subtle beauty of the music.
Ellens Gesang IIIAve Maria! Jungfrau mild,Erhöre einer Jungfrau Flehen,Aus diesem Felsen starr und wildSoll mein Gebet zu dir hinwehen.Wir schlafen sicher bis zum Morgen,Ob Menschen noch so grausam sind.O Jungfrau, sieh der Jungfrau Sorgen,O Mutter, hör ein bittend Kind!Ave Maria!Ave Maria! Unbefleckt!Wenn wir auf diesen Fels hinsinkenZum Schlaf, und uns dein Schutz bedecktWird weich der harte Fels uns dünken.Du lächelst, Rosendüfte wehenIn dieser dumpfen Felsenkluft,O Mutter, höre Kindes Flehen,O Jungfrau, eine Jungfrau ruft!Ave Maria!Ave Maria! Reine Magd!Der Erde und der Luft Dämonen,Von deines Auges Huld verjagt,Sie können hier nicht bei uns wohnen.Wir woll’n uns still dem Schicksal beugen,Da uns dein heil’ger Trost anweht;Der Jungfrau wolle hold dich neigen,Dem Kind, das für den Vater fleht.Ave Maria!Ellen's Song IIIAve Maria! Maiden mild!Listen to a maiden’s entreatyfrom this wild unyielding rockmy prayer shall be wafted to you.We shall sleep safely until morning,however cruel men may be.O Maiden, behold a maiden’s cares,O Mother, hear a suppliant child!Ave Maria!Ave Maria! Undefiled!When we sink down upon this rockto sleep, and your protection hovers over us,the hard rock shall seem soft to us.You smile, and the fragrance of roseswafts through this musty cavern.O Mother, hear a suppliant child,O Maiden, a maiden cries to you!Ave Maria!Ave Maria! Purest Maiden!Demons of the earth and air,banished by the grace of your gaze,cannot dwell with us here.Let us silently bow to our fate,since your holy comfort touches us;incline in grace to a maiden,to a child that prays for its father.Ave Maria!
* Today, December 8, being also the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.
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