Ave Maria

Written in the russian style of choral music (in which Rachmaninov is one the great masters), with a lot of divisi on the voices and with a wide range of dynamics. The choir is treated like an orchestra and the voices "orchestrated" to obtain singular expressive effects.

Ave Maria

This is a very nice piece! I hear the Rachmaninoff influence, but it strikes me as very Bruckner-ish as well. A few things to look at:

m. 8 - you end the second "gratia plena" with the same dominant 7 as you used in m. 4 (just a little thicker). Why do this, when you use such a wonderful chromatic alteration at the end of the previous phrase?

m. 15 - "Jesus" is, textually speaking, the climax of this prayer (alternately, it is the impetus for the climax of the prayer on "Sancta Maria"). In either case, it requires some significant build-up and anticipation (especially with an audience that knows the prayer). My feeling is that this moment is both too small and rushed for what it stands for. Consider expanding the "benedictus fructus ventris tui" to be a little longer, and to include more voices. This way you'll build up a good weight of sound. Then, consider revoicing the chord. Right now, all of your voices are in middle ranges - sopranos, altos, and tenors. Consider, for a textural change (as well as to facilitate the forte dynamic you have written) writing each voice a little bit higher in its register. Similarly, you can contrast the higher notes in the upper three voices by including some lower ones in the bass, which will give the moment some good energy.

m. 19 - this is your musical climax. However, placing it so late in the prayer leads to a very quick denouement; I feel it may be a little too quick. You can fix this by extending the "Ora pro nobis" section, to give it a little more "cool-down" time.

m. 20 - check the phoneticization of "peccatoribus." Right now, you have "PEC-ca-to-RI-bus"; when spoken, it is "PEC-ca-TO-ri-bus."

Great piece, all around - I'm looking forward to seeing what else you have.