Pope Leo XIV said that polyphony is a musical form “full of meaning” for Christian prayer and life, and gave as an example the works of the famous Italian composer Giovanni Pierluigi from Palestrina.
The Holy Father made this praise to polyphonic music by receiving the participants of the event promoted by the Domenico Bartolucci Foundation On the occasion of the 500 years of the birth of Palestrina, Great Sacred Music Composer of the 16th century and who directed institutions such as the Sistine Chapel, the Lateranese Chapel and the Liberian Chapel.
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“Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina was, in the history of the Church, one of the composers who contributed the most contributed to the promotion of sacred music, For ‘the glory of God and the sanctification and building of the faithful’ in the delicate and at the same time exciting context of the counter -reform ”, Leo XIV expressed.
Among the best known works of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina are You are Peter, Missa Brevis y Mass.
“His compositions, solemn and austere, inspired by the Gregorian song, closely unite music and liturgy, ‘both when giving prayer a sweeter expression and fostering unanimity, and in enriching the sacred rites with greater solemnity,” added the pontiff.
In that sense, Leo XIV said that polyphony “It is a musical form full of meaning, both for prayer and for Christian life“, Since” it is inspired by the sacred text, which is intended to ‘coating from an appropriate melody’ so that it can better reach the intelligence of the faithful. “
The Pope explained that polyphonic music “achieves this goal by trusting the words to several voices, each of which repeats them in their own and original way, with varied and complementary melodic and harmonic movements.”
“Finally, it harmonizes everything thanks to the skill with which the composer develops and intertwines the melodies, respecting the rules of the counterpoint, making them echo each other, sometimes even creating dissonances that then find a solution in new chords,” he said.
Leo XIV said that “the effect of this dynamic unit on diversity – metáfora of our common path of faith under the guidance of the Holy Spirit – is to help who listens to always entering more depth in the mystery expressed by words, responding, if it is appropriate, with responsible or alternation.”
The Pontiff said that “thanks to this formal and content wealth, the Roman polyphonic tradition, in addition to having legacy an immense artistic and spiritual heritage, still is still today, in the musical field, a reference to the resort, although with the necessary adaptations, in the sacred and liturgical composition.”
In this way, through the song the faithful can participate “full, consciously and actively in the liturgy with a deep involvement of voice, mind and heart.”
Pope Leo XIV put as an example of excellence the Misa Pope Marcellus“Like the precious repertoire of compositions that the unforgettable Cardinal Domenico Bartolucci, illustrious composer and, for almost 50 years, director of the Choir of the Sistine Chapel.”
The Pontiff culminated his speech remembering the words of St. Augustine, who, “speaking of the singing of Hallelujah Pascual, said: ‘Let’s sing it now, my brothers (…). As the walkers usually sing, they sing, but walk (…). Go ahead, go ahead in good (…). They sing and walk! They do not deviate from the road, do not get back, do not get back, do not get back, do not get back, do not get back, do not get back, do not get back, do not get back, do not get back, do not get back, do not get back, do not get back.
“Let’s make our invitation, especially at this sacred time of joy. My blessing to all,” he said.
Eduardo Berdejo
Professional in Social Communication of the National University of San Marcos in Peru, I have more than 20 years of experience in Catholic digital journalism. As part of ACI Press, I have been sent to cover the trips of Pope Francis to Cuba, Mexico, Colombia and Peru, in addition to the Synod of Sinodality in the Vatican in 2023.