Ave Maria

This motet for three male voices (AAB) sets a well-known Latin Marian antiphon. The composer Johannes Regis, a Netherlandish master of the fifteenth century, crafts a flowing texture where the voices intertwine in close imitation. The upper two parts often move together in parallel thirds and sixths, providing a rich, consonant sonority, while the lower voice provides a steadying harmonic foundation. The text, invoking the Angelic Salutation, is treated with devotional care, its gentle unfolding mirrored in the serene and intimate musical setting. Regis's mastery of counterpoint is evident throughout, creating a piece that is both technically accomplished and deeply expressive.