‘Ave virgo sanctissima’ was commissioned by Robert Sharpe and the Choir of York Minster, for the service of Nine Lessons and Carols in 2023. The text is a lyrical prayer which praises the virtue of Mary with grand and opulent language; musically, this is echoed by a florid and warm soundworld. After a gentle opening section with flowing melodic lines, the music takes on a more tender, fragile mood, to evoke the floral metaphors which express Mary’s delicate beauty. Ideas from the opening return,...