The solo version is in the book, "52 Sacred Songs" by G. Schirmer, Inc. If you have no luck elsewhere, send me a private message with your e-mail address. ;-) ;-)
There is also a book entitled "The Complete Ave Maria" which has the Bach-Gounod and the Schubert in three or four keys with an arrangement for organ and for piano for each key. I sing the Ab version all the time from there.
I don't know who will come back to read this, but in your valued opinions, do you think that adding a violin part as a "duet" is in poor taste. My son is quite the accomplished violinist, and I think it could be pretty, but I tend to second guess myself. I found this on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKsuZTmXeew This is for a friend's funeral.
@Canadash Sure why not. If you have that resource available to you, I would certainly utilize it. I just picked up a Viola player the other day, and plan on utilizing that wonderful resource as much as possible during my Masses.
Do you mean an actual duet arrangement or simply doubling the melody? I don't think it's in poor taste, but a highly ornamented melody such as this can be difficult for two soloists to coordinate in unison (making sure the trills and appoggiaturi line up, etc.). Depending on skill level and available rehearsal time, it might be better to have one of the instruments omit the ornaments. Nonetheless, in such situations it's the effort that counts. Sorry for your loss.
Thanks for the tips. Yes, I thought I'd omit the ornaments. My son is blessedvwith perfect pitch and an amazing memory, so he'd probably be able to listen to this, write out the harmony and play it. We play together all the time, so it's instinctive.
Contra, would love to know how you will use the viola player. My other son plays a decent cello, I wonder if we could use him too? ( at another time though)
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