Classical Music | Violin Music

Recorded on 01/01/1980, uploaded on 02/21/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Franz Schubert's Ave Maria is one his most beloved songs and, quite possibly, one of the most recognizable melodies in classical music. Despite the misconceptions that surround the piece, Schubert's Ave Maria is one of seven settings he made of songs from Sir Walter Scott's epic poem The Lady of the Lake. The set was composed in 1825 and published as his op. 52. Schubert used a loose German translation of Scott's poem by Adam Storck. However, Schubert also intended the original English texts to be published along with the songs, the sole exception being the fifth song of the set.

The Ave Maria is the sixth song in the set. In Scott's poem, the protagonist Ellen Douglas, the Lady of the Lake, has gone into exile with her father after declining to aid Roderick Dhu in his rebellion against King James. Roderick gathers his warriors but pauses when he hears the distant sounds of Ellen, accompanied by a harpist, singing a prayer to the Virgin Mary calling upon her for help. Roderick then departs for battle. While the opening words of Schubert's song are, indeed, "Ave Maria" (Latin, "Hail Mary"), the remainder of the text has no connection to the traditional Roman Catholic prayer. However, because of the song's popularity, Schubert's setting has been adapted to fit the words of the Catholic prayer. In addition, the Ave Maria has been transcribed for various instruments.       Joseph DuBose