Bach FAQ 102
Who Is / Was Singing the Ave Maria? the Ave Maria by Bach / Gounod or the One by Schubert?..
Shirin Wolfinger: She sings beautifully. And she’s the only artist I’ve ever been able to give a “high five” to after an amazing performance. Many a “DSDS in Germany, AI in the USA and PI in the UK” superstar could learn a thing or two from her performance. On top of that, she’s genuinely likable, charming, and humble. All that combined with an incredible, cool voice. I’m really sorry that you can only hear Shirin sing within a 250-kilometer radius of Stuttgart, Germany, near my hometown of Heilbronn in Southern Germany. It goes without saying that I prefer Shirin’s “Ave Maria by Bach & Gounod”. But … she also has Franz’s version in her repertoire. You can hear for yourself by listening to Schirin here. Below, you’ll find “Ave Maria by Schubert” right here and now, and maybe – someday – even the one by the “Bach & Gounod Duo.” © By the way, the photo above was taken by the pros at Fotostudio Gruppe 4 in Marbach, Germany. Thank you very much for letting me publish it..
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About Ave Maria. And regarding the question in the headline: It’s confusing because there are actually two Ave Maria (…I’m not using the plural here, since that would sound and look a bit odd). On that note: Neither song was originally composed as Ave Maria. Rather, they’ve come to be known by that name over the years..
That’s why it’s so confusing today. When people talk about the Ave Maria and mean the piece of music, in most cases they’re referring to the Ave Maria by Bach/Gounod. You can read here how it became what it is today. Because this FAQ 101 – on the page you’re currently reading – is only about who sings it. Or plays it. Or performs it. Or stages it. The most important thing to note and ... to state this clearly and explicitly ... it is not the “Ave Maria by Bach”. You cannot describe or call it that. Rather, it is the “Ave Maria by Bach & Gounod”. Because Gounod took half of his work from one of Bach’s compositions. Artistically speaking, it is a joint creation, which is why today we refer to it as the Ave Maria by Bach/Gounod..
Acapella: the Ave Maria ... composed by Schubert. © Fotostudio Gruppe 4..
Why not visit Shirin on YouTube and listen to one of her many cool songs? Shirin is also on LinkedIn. And via Eventpeppers. Or enjoy the “Shirin Wolfinger and Holger Engel Duo.” With two more songs. I’ve already picked out two cool gigs for you here: Artwork 1 ... and if you liked that as much as my wife and I did, then check out Masterpiece 2 too. By the way, you can also find Holger’s website –which is definitely worth a visit – online ... just click here..
What a bonus from me right here and now! Just give it a listen. This time, the performance features instruments in the background, and then at the very end there’s one last addition that I’m quickly throwing in before my deadline: another piece by Shirin, a cappella. Wow! Renate and I have the pleasure and honor of getting to hear Shirin perform in person every now and then. And we look forward to every upcoming event. The last one was for a very “exclusive” small group of 20 listeners. Pure goosebumps. © Fotostudio Gruppe 4..
Don't be confused: from the same image as above. It's a different song. © Fotostudio Gruppe 4..
My Section with Lousy, Own Creativity: Just a Long List..
So, Bach, Gounod, Schubert ... actually who really cares?! Of course, I am kidding and the Bach/Gounod version just has to be the "most important one" on this page of my website. However: Here they are: the "tons" of singers, that amaze with their performances..
Aaron Neville, Al Bano, Amigos, Amira Willighagen, Amy Dickson, Andre Rieu, Andrea Bocelli, Andreas Scholl, Angela Wiedl, Angelika Milster, Aretha Franklin, Axel Becker, Barbra Streisand Belsy, Beyonce, Bianca, Brings, Celine Dion, Celtic Woman, Charles Aznavour, Chris Norman, Connie Talbot, David Archuleta, David Bisbal, David Garrett, Deborah Sasson, Gregorian, Harry Connick jr., Hayley Westenra, Hein Simons, Heino, Heintje Simons, Helmut Lotti, Il Divo, Il Volo, In Extremo, Ingrid Peters, Jantje Smit, Jeanette, Jennifer Rush, Jewel, Joan Baez, Johannes Kalpers, Jonathan + Charlotte, Josh Groban, Karel Gott, Kastelruther Männerquartett, Katharina, Katherine Jenkins, Kelly Family, Lena Valaitis, Leo Rojas, Leona Lewis, Mara Kayser, Marie Deutschland, Marshall + Alexander, Michael Bolton, Michael Buble, Michael Hirte, Michael Hirte, Michelle, Monika Martin, Mylene Farmer, Nana Mouskouri, Nina + Mike, Nina Hagen, Noa, Only Men Aloud, Opus Sanctus, Orchester Anthony Ventura, Oswald Sattler, Die Paldauer, Patricia Kelly, Paul Potts, Peter Hofmann, Peter, Sue + Marc, Petruta Küpper, Priester, Priests, Ricardo Marinello, Richard + Adam, Richard Clayderman, Roten Rosen, Roy Black, Russell Watson, Sarah Brightman, Sarah Connor, Shiring Wolfinger, Silvio D'Anza, Stevie Wonder, Tarja Turunen, Tom Astor, Tony Marshall, Trollfest, Ute Freudenberg, Vanessa Calcagno, Vincent + Fernando, Vittorio Grigolo, Angela Wiedl + der Münchener Marienchor, Belsy + Florian, Peter Kent + Luisa Fernandez, Tarja Turunen + Harus, Vader Abraham + die Schlümpfe..
Of course, in the coming year there will be several more major artists who will sing or have sung the Ave Maria. And some performers are brand new to the business. Others haven’t even been born yet … that will happen in a few years. Yet others are still playing in the sandbox. Today is the year 2026. Another possibility: a world-class singer who had never performed the Ave Maria before has now, in the meantime, done so after all. Nevertheless: There is a “deadline” today – April 10, 2026 – and for those not mentioned in this section – as sorry as I am – it will then be too late. How fortunate that it is not important at all to be included in this list of artists..
Honestly ... I Guess I Became Addicted in the Blink of an Eye..
To be completely honest –actually, I’m always honest – I’ve decided to go ahead and share another song by Shirin with you on this page of my website. In any case, while I was “tinkering” with the text, the headings, and the captions, I had Shirin playing in the background the whole time: thanks to YouTube, while I was writing. That’s why I decided to present another bonus here. Even after the “deadline” mentioned above. Why not just give this performance a listen: It’s now spring 2026, and I think I love her music more and more. And Renate, of course, too. We can hardly wait for her next performance. Unfortunately, Shirin hasn’t performed on stage since the COVID-19 pandemic. And so there’s no longer a link to her website here, but there is one to her YouTube channel..
The title "Ein Traum wird wahr" (..."A Dream Comes True"). Shirin: Bravo! © Fotostudio Gruppe 4..
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