Friday, January 31, 2014

Sistine Organist on Role of Benedict XVI in Music for Papal Masses

Rome Reports has just published a video highlighting the organist of the Sistine Chapel Choir, Spaniard Juan Paradell-Solé.

The short video presents some interesting tidbits such as the following about Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's role in improving music at papal Masses:

Narrator: But the Vatican also needs music, and since 2011 this Spanish organist plays in all the ceremonies that the Pope presides. It's the first time in history that the Sistine Chapel Choir, the Pope's private choir, has an official organist. He soon grasped that Pope emeritus Benedict XVI took very seriously the music in his ceremonies.

Juan Paradell-Solé: He would chose or suggest the music he would like to be played or sung. And obviously, if he said he wanted that piece or some other one, we would play it. He increased the use of Gregorian chant and the use of multiple melodies in music.

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