TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS FEATURES MOZART'S REQUIEM NOV. 2, 2013

Full. Powerful. Moving. A Magnum. That's Mozart's Requiem, commissioned in 1791 by Count Von Walsegg in honor of his wife's death, which of course took place in Vienna, my favorite city in the world. One I lived in and also visited dozens of times after I graduated.

I have repeatedly heard over 30 pressings of the Requiem by different composers not to mention live performances. I cannot say that I favor one over another as each is very different. Herbert von Karijian's though is probably the best so far. He totally controls the flow, the brass is full and not tinny like in other versions and the majesty of the piece is complete. Bernstein, who usually wow's me, doesn't in his recording but the overuse of instruments is delightful. Then there is Sir Neville Marriner who has a totally fascinating interpretation that bursts with energy.  Mozart was so gifted. I personally believe that Angels whispered in his ear.

The call for the Traditional Latin Mass is amazing they are so very well attended once the word gets out - thanks for advertising in the Michigan Catholic newspaper. The Latin Mass is very spiritual. Respectful. Poignant. The age of the priest saying the mass can range from the newly ordained to the retired. On Saturday, Rev. Msgr. Ronald Brown, will officiate the mass, a treat as his Latin is superb and his inflection is quite meaningful. People want this. ((( BTW, did you know that the Pope tweets in Latin and has thousands of followers ... the young ones are following him, Praise Be To God. )))

Here are the deets about Saturday so pass them along to friends: 

MOZART'S REQUIEM MASS in D Minor will be sung by the Choir of the St. Benedict Tridentine Community at Assumption Church, Windsor, Canada, under the direction of Wassim Sarweh, to accompany Solemn High Mass in Extraordinary Form (Latin) for All Souls Day.

TIME: 4:00PM Saturday, November 2, 2013

LOCATION: The Stone Chapel, 2215 Opdyke Road, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Admission is free. Here is the group organizing the event:  Oakland County Latin Mass Association 

The Stone Church, actually of St.Hugo of the Hills, was erected by ad man Mr. MacManus, who founded D'arcy, MacManus and Maisus. Besides, he had some great ink in his veins as he started his career as a reporter, which I did too and working in advertising changed my life. So there is deep affection for the Chapel on several levels. 

Besides, the acoustics here are superb. When you attend, please turn off your cell phones. No flash photos during mass. You will experience a deep and significant presence. This can be a deeply moving experience for you. Prepare for it. Be on time. Please come and talk to me. I'm sitting in the third row, right side at the aisle end. And, as the Austrians say: Auf Wiedersehn.