A Concert for The Pope
Yesterday, a concert in honor of His Holiness Benedict XVI was given by the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, accompanied by the Regensburger Domspatzen choir and the Athestis Chorus. The program included various pieces, among them was Sanctus from Missa for Holy Year by the Pope's brother Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, Mozart's Ave Verum, and Verdi's Te Deum.
(Update) Following the concert, Benedict XVI thanked the conductor of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra and members of the choir of Ratisbone Cathedral and of the Athestis Chorus. The Holy Father said he felt proud that for thirty years the choir of Ratisbone Cathedral "was led with passion by my brother Georg," adding that "now, under Roland Buchner, it is still in excellent hands."
With reference to the music he had heard and to its composers - from Palestrina to Richard Wagner, from Mozart to Verdi and Hans Pfitzner - the Holy Father said: "You have brought us an experience of something of the vastness of musical creativity which has, indeed, always been nourished by the Christian roots of Europe. Even if Wagner, Pfitzner and Verdi transport us to new dimensions for experiencing reality, the shared foundation of a European spirit formed by Christianity still remains present and effective. In this concert have we been able, once again, to feel how sublime music purifies, uplifts and, in the final analysis, makes us feel the greatness and beauty of God."
Benedict XVI concluded by expressing the hope that "the harmony of music and song, which knows no religious or social barriers, may be a constant invitation for believers and all people of good will to seek together the universal language of love, which makes men capable of building a world of justice and solidarity, of hope and peace." (Vatican News)
Regensburger Domspatzen, the boy's choir of the Regensburg Cathedral that Msgr. Georg Ratzinger oversaw when he was music director of the cathedral from 1964 until his retirement in 1994.
The Pope applaudes with Mgsr. Ratzinger behind him.
The Munich Philharmonic Orchestra directed by Christian Thielemann.
The Holy Father greeting pilgrims in the Pope Paul VI Hall.
(Update) Following the concert, Benedict XVI thanked the conductor of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra and members of the choir of Ratisbone Cathedral and of the Athestis Chorus. The Holy Father said he felt proud that for thirty years the choir of Ratisbone Cathedral "was led with passion by my brother Georg," adding that "now, under Roland Buchner, it is still in excellent hands."
With reference to the music he had heard and to its composers - from Palestrina to Richard Wagner, from Mozart to Verdi and Hans Pfitzner - the Holy Father said: "You have brought us an experience of something of the vastness of musical creativity which has, indeed, always been nourished by the Christian roots of Europe. Even if Wagner, Pfitzner and Verdi transport us to new dimensions for experiencing reality, the shared foundation of a European spirit formed by Christianity still remains present and effective. In this concert have we been able, once again, to feel how sublime music purifies, uplifts and, in the final analysis, makes us feel the greatness and beauty of God."
Benedict XVI concluded by expressing the hope that "the harmony of music and song, which knows no religious or social barriers, may be a constant invitation for believers and all people of good will to seek together the universal language of love, which makes men capable of building a world of justice and solidarity, of hope and peace." (Vatican News)
Regensburger Domspatzen, the boy's choir of the Regensburg Cathedral that Msgr. Georg Ratzinger oversaw when he was music director of the cathedral from 1964 until his retirement in 1994.
The Pope applaudes with Mgsr. Ratzinger behind him.
The Munich Philharmonic Orchestra directed by Christian Thielemann.
The Holy Father greeting pilgrims in the Pope Paul VI Hall.
2 Comments:
Lovely! I wouldnt mind sitting nearby! I would really try to concentrate on the concert, but well, there would be a slight distraction.
I would probably be watching the Holy Father's reaction to the different movements!
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