From Wikipedia: ““Ave Maria” is a popular and much recorded setting of the Latin text Ave Maria.Written by French Romantic composer Charles Gounod in 1859, “Ave Maria” consists of a melody superimposed over the Prelude No.1 in C Major from the Well-Tempered Clavier – Book I (BWV 846), composed by J.S.Bach some 137 years earlier, however there is an additional bar in the Gounod so as to smooth out a rough change in harmony in the prelude. The result is a remarkable juxtaposition of these short works by two unrelated composers that fits perfectly as a melody and accompaniment.”
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One of the prettiest and most relaxing, transcendental versions is by the group ‘Celtic Women’.
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Pavarotti does a more vigorous less relaxing version… but still done in his inimitable classic style.
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Bobby McFerrin uses his talent to show students how the composition was fit together.
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Barbara Bonney does a great version which is sung in German.
Heavenly, ethereal…. like the voice of an angel.
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But of them all, none beat the beauty and depth of Jewel’s version…
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Coincidentally, the next town over is named Santa Maria