Sacred Music

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a tiny parish by Roman Catholic standards, has hired Matthew Larkin, one of Canada’s top organists and choir directors from the Anglican tradition.

The liturgical music tradition of polyphony with its blend of melodies and harmonies should lift people's spirits as it subtly transmits a message about diversity and unity, Pope Leo XIV said.

Longtime Catholic conductor and countertenor Peter Mahon experienced a crescendo of joyous surprise on May 3 while leading the Tallis Choir of Toronto through a performance of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “All-Night Vigil” at St. Patrick’s Church.

Anyone exposed to music understands the paramount importance of a troupe of instrumentalists and vocalists being utterly harmonious as they tackle pieces in 2/2, 4/4 or 12/8 rhythm.

A celebrated Italian Catholic composer and conductor is dismayed with the “very strong decline of the standard of sacred music”.