Musica Mystica was played on the eve of the Feast of the Assumption in Freising Cathedral.
And with that there was sung silence.
Freising
- The evening before the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, the Freising Dommusik invited to the concert “Musica Mystica” in the Freising Mariendom.
The liturgical chants of the Schola Cantorum Munich under the direction of the diocesan music director Stephan Zippe were calm, fine and reserved.
Cathedral organist Benedict Celler paid homage to the "Queen of Heaven" with excerpts from works by French composers and his own interpretations on the organ.
Many Freisinger did not miss the preparation for the high holiday of the Catholic Church on Saturday evening. Despite corona-related restrictions, the guests were able to enjoy a wonderful evening. They are ancient hymns that have been handed down in Gregorian chant since the Middle Ages: "Assumpta est Maria in caelum", an "antiphon" with verses from Psalm 97, "Gaudeamus omnes in Domino", an "Introit" to the Assumption and that Graduals "Diffusa est gratia" formed the beginning of the impressive concert.
As a "Christian prayer", the mass texts sung in Latin were customary in the Catholic churches up to the Second Vatican Council. After the German language became part of the liturgy in the middle of the last century, the fascinating melodies of Gregorian chant are still popular. Stefan Zippe has a knack for conveying these musically traditional beliefs to those who are not familiar with Gregorian chant. The former church musician at the Kastulusmünster in Moosburg interprets the Bible texts musically at a high level.
For 15 years Zippe has been professor of Gregorian chant and German liturgical chant at the University of Music and Theater in Munich. The “Schola cantorum Munich” with students from the music academy and external singers, which he built up during this time, brought the Christian prayers to unfold in all their beauty and solemnity in the wonderful acoustics of the Mariendom. “Ave maris stella”: The Schola also dedicated itself to the ancient Latin hymn to the “sea stars”, the Mother of God. “Strengthen us in peace by reversing Eva's name”, was the passage after which the organ started.
Benedict Celler underlined the motifs of the mass singing on his instrument. Hope and longing resonated when the cathedral choirmaster reached into the keys and gave this song, which has been changed over and over again over the centuries, a very individual character. In addition to excerpts from works by the French composers Marcel Dupré and Jean Langlais, the 30-year-old delighted the audience with his own interpretations. Without big leaps in rhythm, the choir let the melodies shine in their simple beauty. The music spread over the nave like a carpet of voices fused together.
And cathedral rector Marc-Aeilko Aris was right when he promised the audience at the beginning that they would not regret coming despite the corona-related elaborate admission procedure.
The musicians were sure of long-lasting applause after the “sung silence”.
Good to know
"Dommusik Freising" invites you to the next concert on Saturday, September 11th, under the title "Missa & Vesperae" in the Mariendom.
Start is at 7.30 p.m.
Further information is available at www.freisinger-dom.de.
Maria Martin
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