CACCINI and MOZART Ave Maria and Ave Verum Corpus arr. for string quartet by Lucian Moraru

CACCINI and MOZART

Ave Maria and Ave Verum Corpus arr. for string quartet by Lucian Moraru

Sets of Parts & Scores

SonArt Edition

by Andrew Lorenz

Two very moving vocal works are beautifully arranged for string quartet by Lucian Moraru, a Rumanian violinist/violist and arranger. The first is Ave Maria (Hail Mary) by the Florentine composer Giulio Caccini (c.1545- 1618) and the second is the Ave Verum Corpus (Hail, true body) by Mozart (1756-1791). The latter, written as a motet, is catalogued as K.618 and was composed six months before the composer’s death foreshadowing the style to be heard in the Requiem, K.626. Both are marked Moderato assai and would be very suitable for inexperienced string quartets. Perhaps a metronome marking would be helpful as would a short paragraph of background information.

The score and parts are clearly printed and bar numbered. Bowings and articulations are also printed but there are no dynamic markings in either work. The Caccini is very imaginatively arranged with interesting parts for all the players. There is a solo violin introduction of five bars and then a chordal section with the melodic and rhythmic interest in the cello which continues in varied form throughout. The main theme is then heard in the first violin. Imitative moments are given to the viola which ventures into the treble clef. In a later section the second violin imitates the first. The final section has the viola leading in the tune embellished by the first violin in semi-quavers. The Mozart is far more straight forward, written in a simple chorale like style.

Stringendo (Australian Strings Association’s magazine) - October, 2022