Ave Maria (Schubert)
Schubert's song adapted into the widely known 'Ave Maria'.
Franz Schubert composed the work now widely known as "Ave Maria" in 1825 as part of a larger project: a cycle of seven songs drawn from Walter Scott's 1810 narrative poem *The Lady of the Lake*. The specific song, catalogued as D. 839 and published as Opus 52, No. 6, sets a German translation by Adam Storck of a verse from the poem's third canto. In Scott's story, the character Ellen Douglas—the Lady of the Lake—sings a prayer to the Virgin Mary for aid while sheltering with her exiled father in a cave. The chieftain Roderick Dhu hears her voice accompanied by a harpist as he prepares for battle, pauses, and then continues on his way. Schubert's melody was first performed at the castle of Countess Sophie Weissenwolff in Steyregg, Austria, and was dedicated to her; this association earned her the nickname "the lady of the lake."
Though Schubert originally wrote the piece for Ellen's prayer, the opening words "Ave Maria" likely inspired later adaptations that set the full Latin text of the traditional Hail Mary prayer to his melody. This Latin version became so popular that it created a widespread impression that Schubert had composed the tune specifically for the Catholic prayer. The song is now frequently performed in simplified musical arrangements and with lyrics that often depart from Scott's original poem. Franz Liszt later created three piano arrangements of the piece. Within Schubert's Opus 52 cycle, the song is one of three pieces for Ellen's voice, alongside songs for baritone, male ensemble, and female choir. The cycle was published in 1826. Schubert composed the songs using the German texts, but the publisher intended to include the original English lyrics, which required matching Storck's sometimes free translations—a process that proved difficult. The Schubert version itself repeats words and phrases to fit the melody.
- 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 originated as a setting of a song from Walter Scott’s narrative poem *The Lady of the Lake*, in a German translation by Adam Storck. In the poem, the character Ellen Douglas sings a prayer to the Virgin Mary for help. Schubert’s composition is said to have been first performed at the castle of Countess Sophie Weissenwolff, who became known as “the lady of the lake” herself. The opening words and refrain of Ellen’s song, “Ave Maria,” likely led to the adaptation of Schubert’s melody for the full text of the traditional Roman Catholic prayer. The Latin version is now so frequently used with Schubert’s melody that it has led to the impression that he originally wrote it as a setting for that prayer. The song is part of a cycle of seven songs from Scott’s work, published as Opus 52. The three songs of Ellen are for a woman’s voice with piano accompaniment. Schubert composed the songs to the German texts, but they were apparently intended to be published with the original English texts as well, which entailed significant difficulties. The Schubert version repeats words and phrases to fit them into his melody. Beyond the original song, it is also performed as “Ave Maria” in musically simplified arrangements and with various lyrics that commonly differ from the original poem’s context.
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.
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