Ave Maria from Franz Schubert

Watercolor portrait of Franz Schubert 1825 by painter Wilhelm August Rieder.

Do You Know the True Story Behind Schubert’s Ave Maria?

Few pieces of classical music are as instantly recognizable and universally cherished as Ave Maria. Its soaring melody has graced wedding ceremonies, church services, films, and even pop culture. But did you know that Franz Schubert didn’t actually compose it as a traditional setting of the Ave Maria prayer?

A Song Inspired by a Poem

In 1825, the young Austrian composer Franz Schubert was captivated by the German translation of The Lady of the Lake, a narrative poem by Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott. One of the poem’s sections, titled Ellen’s Third Song, depicts the character Ellen Douglas praying for divine help as she and her father seek refuge from danger. She calls upon the Virgin Mary, pleading for protection from the forces that threaten them.

The original text in Scott’s poem was in English and did not resemble the Latin Ave Maria prayer. The opening lines of Ellen’s Third Song read:

Hymn for a voice divine, Ave Maria! maiden mild, List to a suppliant child!

When translated into German by Adam Storck, the text took on a more hymn-like quality, which Schubert then set to his deeply expressive melody. This German version, Ellens dritter Gesang, became widely known and beloved.

How It Became the Ave Maria We Know Today

The melody was so profoundly moving that later, the Latin Ave Maria prayer was adapted to fit Schubert’s tune, making it a staple of religious and ceremonial settings. This fusion of poetry and prayer has led to the common misconception that Schubert originally composed it for the Catholic mass.

The Original text:

Ave Maria! maiden mild!

Listen to a maiden's prayer!

Thou canst hear though from the wild;

Thou canst save amid despair.

Safe may we sleep beneath thy care,

Though banish'd, outcast and reviled –

Maiden! hear a maiden's prayer;

Mother, hear a suppliant child!

Ave Maria!

Ave Maria! undefiled!

The flinty couch we now must share

Shall seem with down of eider piled,

If thy protection hover there.

The murky cavern's heavy air

Shall breathe of balm if thou hast smiled;

Then, Maiden! hear a maiden's prayer,

Mother, list a suppliant child!

Ave Maria!

Ave Maria! stainless styled.

Foul demons of the earth and air,

From this their wonted haunt exiled,

Shall flee before thy presence fair.

We bow us to our lot of care,

Beneath thy guidance reconciled;

Hear for a maid a maiden's prayer,

And for a father hear a child!

Ave Maria!

The Lasting Legacy

The most popular version of Schubert's Ave Maria is written for soprano, highlighting its ethereal and soaring quality. However, over time, the piece has been adapted for almost every instrument, from violin and cello to piano and even full orchestras, making it accessible to musicians of all kinds.

Over the centuries, Schubert’s Ave Maria has been performed by countless musicians, from opera legends like Luciano Pavarotti to contemporary artists such as Beyoncé. Its universal beauty transcends language and religion, making it one of the most beloved pieces in classical music history.

Now that you know the true origin of this masterpiece, how do you feel when you hear Ave Maria? Does knowing its story change the way you experience its music? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Would you like to learn more about the fascinating stories behind other classical masterpieces? Stay tuned for more insights into the music that has shaped the world!