
We’ve attended several concerts at Notre Dame de Paris. According to the church’s web site, sacred music has been an important part of Catholic worship for 1500 years. There is wonder in knowing that there have been perhaps 35 generations of worship in that place – many more if you count the Roman religious sites that existed there since about 50 AD. The gothic architecture has inspired people to look upward and consider their existence for a very long time, and the effect is no different today.
Sometimes when the mood of the music is right, I’ve found myself recalling the story of the Victor Hugo’s Hunchback of Notre Dame, thinking about the scenes with Quasimodo, La Esmèralda, and Archdeacon Claude Frollo. The darkened cloisters, candles and spotlights illuminating selected works of art help the drama to come alive.
Sitting in a concert can bring to mind some of the church’s long history. In medieval days those darkened cloisters were the meeting places for members of the congregation. One can imagine the bustle and noise of a church filled each day with people meeting friends and exchanging news and ideas. At night it was cold and sombre and dark. The church was also the chief source of education and learning that provided impetus for the growth of Paris’s Latin Quarter. The religious music program at Notre Dame is a continuation of that focus on education.
The 8000 pipe organ is one of the world’s largest and most famous, and the sound is magnificent. You can see and hear the organ in this U-tube video, which shows the instrument and explains (in French) some about how it works. I recorded a sample of a chorale concert featuring new compositions by 15 composers for a “Notre Dame Choir Book”. The concert music started out pretty dark and heavy with lots of minor chords, but fortunately the music became more hopeful as the night proceeded. The kids singing are between 12 and 14 years old, and they are really impressive. Here is part of the final piece, “Ô Notre Dame du soir” (Our lady of the evening – my apologies in advance for my poor movie making skills):
The lyrics are in French but translated were translated in the program as follows:
Our lady of the Evening,
Whose light shines forth after sunset,
Our hope through the night,
O joy!
Bestow your maternal care
upon us,
Shining star in the overcoming darkness,
O Queen of heaven!
Your tender smile
Is a reflection of God’s tenderness for His
children in exile,
Mother of forgiveness who gave us your Son,
Lead us to Jesus, the Light that was born of
you.
You who dissipate darkness,
O most compassionate,
sweet Virgin Mary!
Thanks again for this, really. I love “how it works” in the Cathedral’s pipe organ. A ‘note’ on minor chords, the intention is to invoke tension into the music and then, hopefully, the chord changes to major notes and this is relief as such. I don’t find the minor chords as spooky as full of tension and apprehension then relief and hopefulness. Everything in Paris makes me emotional, as well in music. Love you miss you love you. Donnie.
Bonjour chere Don,
Tu me manques! We attended another concert at Notre Dame a week ago. It helped to know a bit more about the minor and major chord changes. It wasn’t quite so depressing! The Christmas lights are going up now and Paris is even more magical. Thinking of you and Kathy and sending bisous
Brenda
My last visit to Notre Dame, after Mass, I lit a candle
at the St. Joan of Arc statue…and dripped the candle
wax on my clothes! Oh well…it was worth it.
At the Malaga Cathedral, where I also lit a candle,
it was automatic…put in your coin and the candle
lights up! Enjoy your comments and history.
It is such a joy to get your communications. I hope you are putting all of this together for a book in the future–“Paris through the eyes of a lover”. How’s that for a title. I think you should stay forever!!! And keep us all informed!
Liz
Bonjour chere Liz,
I miss you! Tu me manques. Thank you for staying in touch with us. It is quite magical now seeing all the Paris Christmas decorations. Have joyous holidays.
Bisous, Brenda