Title: Prelude in C Major (Ave Maria)
Date: 1722
Era: Baroque
A keyboard composition by Johann Sebastian Bach, the Prelude in C Major is the first prelude in the book of The Well-Tempered Clavier. Charles Gounod composed a melody based on the prelude; a setting of Ave Maria to that melody is popular.
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Born: 31 March 1685, Eisenach, Germany
Nationality: German
Died: 28 July, 1750, Leipzig, Germany

Johann Sebastian Bach was a composer and musician of the Baroque era. Best known for his instrumental compositions such as the Brandenburg Concertos and for vocal music such as St Matthew Passion. Since a Bach revival in the 19th century he has been regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time.