Chants from the Vatican

It is a fact that the Christian church played, and I must say, continues to play a big part in the development of Western music. The Plainsong, Gregorian Chant and many of the works of Mozart, Bach and other great composers of old, were written for use in the Church.

Things changed in a manner unprecedented in the history of the Catholic Church with the second Vatican Council. Church influence on secular music remained strong although I am one of those who still feel that this change somewhat lessened the sense of reverence one felt when using the Latin prayers and the old songs.

But on the other hand, less reverence during rituals is such a small prize to pay in exchange for the salvation of souls. Besides, allowing the use of native language and modern rhythms certainly brought deeper understanding and more participation from the laity in the traditional rites.

I admire the new music of the church and I enjoy watching the enthusiastic reaction of the faithful. But play me an Ave Maria or a Panis Angelicus and I start thinking of heavenly things. I get transported to a relaxed state and receive inspiration for everything bright and beautiful in the future.

Of course, that is how I felt when I got my hands on the album Alma Mater Music From The Vatican. This is church music in Latin from the Vatican and even features Pope Benedict XVI reciting the prayers. I didn’t bother reading the inlay booklet. Here is something just great for relaxing, Lenten listening. I just put the CD on the machine and waited.

…and waited. The songs are chants, very beautiful and in Latin, all right. The Pope says the prayers and even sings it at times. But there is not one familiar melody in the album. It turned out that all the songs included are new works by three composers done in the classical style. And each cut is simply amazing.

I do not know who came up with the idea for the project but it is the Vatican’s follow-up to Abba Pater, which featured Pope John Paul II saying the prayers. While that one was directed to the Lord Jesus, Alma Mater is in celebration of the veneration of Mary, the Mother of God and our Mother. In fact, every song in the CD was inspired by a line from the Litany and other prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

These are Sancta Dei Genitrix, Holy Mother of God; Mater Ecclesiae, Mother of the Church; Advocata Nostra, Our Advocate; Benedicta Tu, You Are Blessed; Causa Nostrae Laetitiae, Cause of our Joy; Auxilium Christianorum, Mary Help Of Christians; Regina Coeli, Queen of Heaven; and Magistra Nostra, Our Teacher.

Nothing was spared to make this album a truly inspiring experience. The performer of the songs is the Choir of the Philharmonic Academy of Rome accompanied by the world-renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of the UK. Conducting is Monsignor Pablo Colino, the Maestro di Cappella Emeritus of the St. Peter’s Basilica. Then the recording of the CD was done at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London with Vincent Messina as producer.

Most interesting though were the three composers who were tapped to write the music. I do not know if this was intentional on the part of anybody but those chosen were Stefano Mainetti, Italian and Catholic; Simon Boswell is British and does not practice any religion; and Nour Eddine is from Morocco and a Muslim.

They brought in bits and pieces of their personal likes and influences. Mainetti’s contributions are traditionally religious. Boswell’s are from a later time and sound like movie scores. Eddine’s, on the other hand, with its bells and drums are decidedly Middle Eastern.

 However, you will notice those differences if you look expressly for them. The album flows smoothly from one cut to the next, as though it is the work of a single person. This is what happens when different races and creeds unite together for an edifying purpose.

Pope Benedict XVI is so right when he said that: “I am convinced that music really is the universal language of beauty which can bring together all people of goodwill on earth.”

Amen to that.