Ave Maria is a popular and frequently recorded setting of the Latin text Ave Maria [Hail Mary]. It was originally published in 1853 as "Meditation” by Charles Gounod and scored for Violin (or Cello) and Piano. Although Gounod did compose the melody, the piano part was only a slightly altered version of Johann Sebastian Bach's “Prelude in C” from The Well Tempered Clavier, BWV 846. In 1859, Gounod adapted his "Meditation" by adding a Latin religious text to the melody and changing the title to "Ave Maria."

There have been many different instrumental arrangements of this music including voice and guitar, string quartet, cello and piano, piano solo, piano 4-hands, mixed chorus and organ, and numerous others.