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Ave Maria 4-part SATB + organComposer: Dom
Stephen Moreno (1890-1953), c1934
Dom Stephen Moreno, a member of the Benedictine monastic community at New Norcia, Western Australia, was a prominent composer and publisher of church music in the twentieth century. Born in Spain, he received musical training from his father and the local church organist. He received lessons in harmony and counterpoint in Rome whilst training for the priesthood. Moreno arrived in New Norcia in 1908, and his activities as a composer, conductor, and organist were encouraged by succeeding abbots. From the outset he composed prolifically for the resources at his disposal, including several choirs, an orchestra, and an all-Aboriginal brass band. In 1920 he went to Germany for two years for further studies in composition. While there, he purchased a two-manual Moser pipe organ and assembled it in the abbey church at New Norcia on his return in 1922. Moreno's return to Australia saw him engaged in travel to advise on musical matters in various convents and schools and supervise the performance of his works. Moreno composed a large body of choral works based on plainchant, following Pius X's restoration of Gregorian chant to its original integrity. He also wrote works with the aim of providing simple and accessible music for the liturgy. He wrote over 100 brass band arrangements, chamber music, music for piano and organ, and secular songs. The reforms of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s obviated the need for his liturgical music and it has since been largely neglected. Moreno's works were initially published by Chenna of Italy. He began publishing music himself at the monastery from 1933, beginning with his arrangement of John O'Brien's popular set of poems, Around the Boree Log. He prepared each page of music for publication by hand, often using improvised tools. At least 20 000 copies of his Gregorian Manual were sold, demonstrating the wide dissemination of his works in Australia and overseas.
Page last modified: October 31, 2011 Return to my homepage: www.avemariasongs.org
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