Sacred Music

     How would you define “sacred music”? When the lyrics are in a different language or there are no words, how can a piece be defined as “sacred”? Is it the intent of the composer? But how can one know every composer's intent? Is it that an emotion is evoked? Lots of emotions/ feelings can be manipulated for various reasons and they are not all sacred. Music can stimulate violence and anxiety as much as happiness and peace. Any of those emotions, by themselves, do not necessarily lead to a sense of sacred.

     Probably the most sacred piece of music I have experienced is Gorecki's Sorrowful Songs or Symphony No. 3. Our son, Mark, had me listen to it with no explanation or background information. I knew from the opening minutes that this touched a spot within me that was universal and yet personal. Gorecki draws one in with silence, then slow and simple notes. A crescendo of notes, instruments and complexity grows that leads back to simplicity and a single instrument. At this interval, thirteen minutes into the piece, the first words are sung.

      The soprano's first simple notes seem to ask a question. I do not understand the Polish she sings, but my heart seems to raise its own question, most often without words. It seems a timeless query...a universal one...a God one. In trying to probe it with words, it disappears. Better to sit with it, experience it, listen to this composer's understanding of it. It does take a certain trust of the composer and of the person recommending the work. On this you can trust me...sit with the music, invite it in.

      Depending on where you are in your life, it may touch a place of sorrow in your heart. But in touching, it helps to heal. Rarely do I listen without tears spilling forth. But the genius of Gorecki is that he does not leave you in that spot. When you experience the whole symphony, he brings you to place of hope in the midst of sorrow. I don't understand the technicalities, perhaps it is with a key change, but the music spends the last ten minutes building hope. When the words are translated, they are a mother's plea, asking for blessings upon a murdered son. Even in the midst of pain and loss, sorrow and separation, one still carries these things but somewhere, somehow, finds hope.

     There is much more that can be said about this symphony. It can be found with an easy online search. But perhaps first, it would be best to experience it. How does it touch you? To learn your own heart's reaction before reading about anothers or the intent of the composer. I invite you to explore your own understanding of “sacred music”. Most of all, I invite you to spend time with this music in prayer. Invite God to spend this time with you and see where the two of you go....