Ave Maris Stella (from <i>Vespers of the Blessed Virgin</i>) [Alf:81-DBQ975]

Ave Maris Stella is a hymn from Monteverdi's Vespers of the Blessed Virgin. The work is split into three sections interjected with ritornelo passages. The solo sections provide opportunities for certain combinations of instruments to be featured. This piece, scored for two brass quintets, is to be performed antiphonally and this spacing produces an interesting effect for the players and the audience.