The Bach/Gounod Ave Maria is a popular and
much-recorded setting of the Latin text Ave Maria.
Written by French Romantic composer Charles Gounod in
1859, his Ave Maria consists of a melody superimposed
over the Prelude No. 1 in C major from Book I of the
Well-Tempered Clavier (BWV 846), composed by J. S. Bach
some 137 years earlier. (Gounod adds one bar so as to
smooth out a rough change in harmony in the
prelude.)
The Xaphoon, often referred to as a "pocket saxophone," is a unique wind instrument developed in the 1970s by Brian Wittman in Maui, Hawaii. This compact instrument combines the qualities of a clarinet and a saxophone, yet it is much smaller and made either from bamboo or plastic. The Xaphoon offers a distinct, rich sound that belies its size, making it a favorite among traveling musicians and those looking for a portable, yet expressive instrument.