On this date, March 31,  Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Germany in 1685.  He’s one of the greatest composers of all-time.

It’s not easy describing the history of “Ave Maria.” In 1853 French Romantic composer Charles Gounoud took a melody and superimposed it on Bach’s Prelude No. 1 in C major that Bach composed around 1722.

“Ave Maria,” a prayer, is heard frequently at weddings and funerals. Bach’s best? You’ll get disagreement. But it certainly is Bach’s most universally recognized piece of music.

On this Sunday watch and listen to Eumir Deodato at the keyboard and orchestra performing at Estival Jazz Lugano 2010.