One of my favorite playlists on apple music is the Ave Maria. I have been adding to this playlist different versions I come across and to this day I have 118, eight hours long. From beautiful full orchestra pieces to soft solo instrumental versions on piano, violin, guitar, harp and flute.

On the main feast of the Blessed Mother on September 8, her birthday, I play this playlist in my cafe from opening to closing, to the delight of my patrons.

The Ave Maria was composed by Franz Shubert in 1825, representing only one part of Opus 52 composed of 7 songs.

It has been performed by the world’s greatest artists from Maria Callas to Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Connie Francis, Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Harry Connick, Il Divo and Josh Groban.

Everyone that matters in the music industry wants to do their own version of this iconic song. Even the younger artists like Beyonce and David Archuleta already have their versions. It becomes more meaningful for them because it is a prayer sang by a million others.

This is the beautiful and simple prayer in Latin. Listen to Josh Groban’s version here.

• AVE MARIA (Hail Mary)
• GRATIA PLENA (Full of grace)
• DOMINUS TECUM (The Lord is with you)
• BENEDICTA TU (Blessed are you)
• IN MULIERIBUS (Among women)
• ET BENEDICTUS (And blessed)
• FRUCTUS VENTRIS TUI JESUS (is the fruit of your womb Jesus)
• SANCTA MARIA (Holy Mary)
• (SANTA MARIA, MARIA)
• ORA PRO NOBIS PECATORIBUS (pray for us sinners)
• NUNE ET IN HORA (now and at the hour)
• MORTIS NOSTRE (of our death)
• AMEN (Amen)

Among the 118 versions, these are my top 10 in no particular order:

• Andre Rieu
• Andy Williams
• Celine Dion
• Cris Botti
• Carpenters
• Josh Groban
• Nana Mouskouri
• Connie Francis
• Sarah Morgan
• Jordan Smith

I wrote this article after reading Joseph Serwach ‘The Last Songs I Will Ever Play For You’. I was awed by his repertoire of songs to be played for the last mass at his funeral. Excellent pieces. I will use some of them for my own. Here is that very poignant article:

This Ave Maria playlist I have curated will be played throughout the 3 days of mourning for mine. Those who love me have already been told about this wish.

Now I have to work on the repertoire for the final mass, as Joseph has done and rightly suggests.

Ave Maria!

- Vic Alcuaz

Ringing in the Yuletide season is always something we look forward to here in Cafe Inggo 1587. When melodious voices come together with the lines, "Deck the halls", that excitement and anticipation comes alive like magic, and it just makes us naturally smile. With the Philippines being the record-holder of having the longest Christmas celebration (starting September), we make sure that you start getting that holiday cheer on all the "-ber" months of the year!

• Christmas Boys Choir
  
• Christmas Choirs
• Christmas Classical Voices
• Christmas Female
• Christmas Male
• Christmas Various Artists
• Christmas Celtic
• Christmas Instrumental Classic
• Christmas OPM
• Christmas Orchestras
• Christmas Gregorian
• Christmas Classical
• Christmas Piano
• Christmas Medieval
• Christmas for Kids
• Christmas Solo Instrumental
• Christmas Early Music
• Christmas Group Instrumental
• Christmas Jazz and R&B