Sacred Music

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”.