At an early age Kodály composed several Ave Marias for various ensembles of performers. In its final form this chorus seems the most complete of these. From the manuscript scores we know that the work was written in October 1898, while Kodály was still at school in Nagyszombat.

In its original form it requires a three-part female choir, strings and organIn the present arrangement (by Imre Sulyok) the material written for the strings is incorporated into the organ part. First printed edition.