Ave Maria (Schubert)
Schubert's song adapted into the widely known 'Ave Maria'.
Franz Schubert composed the piece now widely known as "Ave Maria" in 1825, designating it as D. 839 and Op. 52, No. 6. It was originally one of seven songs he set to German translations of Walter Scott’s 1810 narrative poem *The Lady of the Lake*. In the poem, the character Ellen Douglas, the Lady of the Lake, sings a prayer to the Virgin Mary while staying in a cave with her exiled father. The chieftain Roderick Dhu hears her voice as he prepares for battle, pauses, and then continues on his way. Schubert’s setting is said to have first been performed at the castle of Countess Sophie Weissenwolff in Steyregg, Austria, and was dedicated to her, earning her the nickname "the lady of the lake."
The song’s opening words, "Ave Maria," likely inspired later adaptations of Schubert’s melody to the full Latin text of the traditional Hail Mary prayer. This Latin version became so common that many mistakenly believe Schubert originally wrote the melody for that prayer. The piece is frequently performed in musically simplified arrangements with lyrics that differ from Scott’s original poem. Franz Liszt created three piano arrangements of the work.
Schubert’s Opus 52, published in 1826, includes seven songs not intended for a single performer. Three are for a woman’s voice (Ellen’s songs), two for baritone, one for male quartet, and one for female choir. The songs were composed to German texts by Adam Storck, but Schubert intended them to be published with the original English texts as well, which created difficulties due to Storck’s free translations. In Schubert’s version, words and phrases are repeated to fit the melody.
Walt Disney used the song in the 1940 film *Fantasia*, linking it to Mussorgsky’s *Night on Bald Mountain*. Leopold Stokowski arranged the piece for soprano, mixed chorus, and string section, with soloist Julietta Novis. The English text, written by Rachel Field, had three stanzas, though only the third was used in the film.
- Composer
- Franz Schubert
- Original title
- Ellens dritter Gesang (Ellen's Third Song)
- Opus
- 52, No. 6
- Known for
- Melody adapted as 'Ave Maria'
Lore & Background
The piece was composed as a setting of a song from Walter Scott's narrative poem *The Lady of the Lake*, in a German translation by Adam Storck, and forms part of Schubert's Opus 52. In the poem, the character Ellen Douglas sings a prayer addressed to the Virgin Mary. The opening words and refrain of her song, "Ave Maria," led to the melody being adapted for the full text of the traditional Roman Catholic prayer. The Latin version is now so frequently used with Schubert's melody that it is often mistakenly believed he originally wrote it for that prayer. Schubert's setting is said to have first been performed at the castle of Countess Sophie Weissenwolff in Steyregg, and was dedicated to her. The song repeats words and phrases to fit the melody. Beyond Schubert's original, it is also performed in musically simplified arrangements and with various lyrics that commonly differ from the poem's original context. The piece was arranged in three versions for piano by Franz Liszt.
Reader's Guide
Schubert's 'Ellens dritter Gesang' holds significance as a masterful Lied that, through its adaptation to the Latin 'Ave Maria' prayer, became one of the most recognizable melodies in Western music. The piece's association with the 'Ave Maria' prayer is so strong that many listeners assume Schubert originally composed it for that text, though it was actually written for a German translation of Walter Scott's poem. The work also demonstrates Schubert's skill in setting narrative poetry to music, as part of a larger cycle of seven songs from The Lady of the Lake. Its adaptation by Franz Liszt into three piano versions further cemented its place in the repertoire. The song's enduring popularity reflects its emotional directness and the universal appeal of its melody, which has been used in countless arrangements and contexts.
Did You Know?
- The song was first performed at the castle of Countess Sophie Weissenwolff in Steyregg, Austria, and dedicated to her.
- The Latin version of 'Ave Maria' is so frequently used with Schubert's melody that many believe he originally wrote it for that prayer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ave Maria (Schubert)?
Ave Maria (Schubert) is a celebrated vocal work by Franz Schubert, catalogued as D. 839 and published as Op. 52, No. 6. It began life as a German-language art song before its melody became inseparably linked with the Latin Hail Mary prayer.
What is the original title of Schubert's Ave Maria?
The piece was first issued under the name 'Ellens dritter Gesang' (Ellen's Third Song), drawn from a German translation of Walter Scott's novel The Lady of the Lake. Schubert set the melody to Ellen Douglas's devotional address to the Virgin Mary.
Why is the song called 'Ave Maria' when it was originally a German poem setting?
The name stuck after the melody was subsequently paired with the full Latin text of the Hail Mary prayer, and that version became the one most listeners know. The original Walter Scott–based German text gradually receded from everyday use.
Who composed Ave Maria (Schubert)?
Franz Schubert wrote the melody as part of his song cycle based on Walter Scott's The Lady of the Lake. The work carries the catalogue number D. 839 and appears as the sixth piece in his Opus 52 set.
Why is Ave Maria (Schubert) so important in the classical repertoire?
It ranks among the most instantly recognizable and frequently performed vocal melodies in Western music, appearing in church services, concert halls, and popular media alike. Its lasting appeal comes from the marriage of Schubert's lyrical, highly singable line with the profound spiritual weight of the Marian text.
More in Music Theory And Composition 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record