Deeply felt, and powerful and festive in its effect, the offertory Ave Maria (WAB 6), which was composed in 1861 and was very highly regarded by Bruckner himself, can be counted alongside Locus iste among the best-known sacred a-cappella choral works of the 19th century. In particular the striking dynamic countersubjects and the fine tonal shading achieved through the varied grouping of the voices leave a lasting impression. The three female voices come in subtly at the beginning and are followe...