MR. SARWEH BRINGS DEPTH & FRESHNESS TO MOZART'S REQUIEM NOV. 2, 2013

Along w/sacred music is sacred art. 

Of course, I am so revved up  about tomorrow's Sacred Music Concert, Mozart's Requiem, & Traditional Latin Mass that concentration on "heavy duty" matters is so out the window right now. Today is about much needed organizing and responding to emails that fills my day at the office in fashionable Ferndale.

The Requiem is the most important piece of music to me and I have been known to travel a couple of hundred miles just to hear it, well, depending on the conductor, that is.

I just can't wait to hear what Wassim Sarweh brings to the Requiem with his vigor,enthusiasm and background. I am wondering if he is a Copt and if the rich heritage will filter into his interpretations. I sure hope so. Currently, Mr. Sarweh is the concertmaster for Church of the Assumption Latin Mass, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. I understand that he is a heck of a tenor and brings an awesome approach to music. Find out more about him here: http://www.chantcafe.com/2011/08/vigor-energy-freshness-in-extraordinary.html

Sacred music events are not only inspiring but a terrific way to learn about the composer and his role in the Catholic Church, not to mention the Conductor.  It's a way to connect with others who have similar interests. It's something for me, something that I totally enjoy. I've been listening to sacred music all of my life. I play it on the fiddle and piano. I sing it when I ride my bike in the hills of Lennon, MI, of course very breathy as I gasp for air. For me, nothing is more uplifting than making music with others. I am relieved that I am getting back into playing fiddle and piano again, that's a different story.

Typically, I listen to masses, cantata's and hymns at home and at work when Susan isn't here because then we would have a raucous disagreement about the loudness of music, our singing voices and, well, who's on first and is it okay to sway and move to the music as it is sacred.

At home it's a different story. I blast the Kyrie from my little Bose CD player and sing Christi Elision from the soles of my feet. In the car, it's even louder. When friends visit, I hear the following:

Why are you listening to the Catholic junk? Turn on something more ..... insert your own word here. Followed by: Let the cats out. Why are they eating there? They shouldn't eat there. Get rid of the dog.  Why are the animals sitting on the furniture? Why is that religious art there?  Just what is this book that you are reading about the early Christianities?  

Needless to say, I am very careful lately about who I allow in my house and in my life.
 In the meantime, I am dedicated to moving stuff off my desk today, making decisions about what to do with papers I shuffle and calls to make on Monday so I can truly free my mind to listen and concentrate on what I will hear tomorrow afternoon.  I have a distinct feeling that Mr. Sarweh will not disappoint and that he will infuse the Requiem with a flavorful energy . What an honor we have in our midst!

Traditional Latin Masses and sacred classical music may not for everyone. But for those who breathe in the depths, majesty and tonal colors, it's "it" for me.  And, for my friends, too, as we look forward to breaking bread afterwards. Feel free to join us. See you tomorrow.

:Here are the deets:

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. — in Bloomfield Hills.