Where in France have you heard great music at Mass?
Jul 25th, 2005, 06:32 AM
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Where in France have you heard great music at Mass?
DH and I will be in France in mid October. I had told him about an experience during my first visit at age 16 near Annecy where I attended Mass and the music was phenomenal. Now he wants a similar experience.
I don't recall the name of the church I attended, but the music was sort of like Chant, no musical instruments. It was a very old small church, great acoustics.
We won't be traveling to that part of France this time, but will be in Paris three days or so and Provence about five or six days.
I'm aware that Ste. Chapelle has some concerts (and we are interested in that sort of thing, too). Has anyone attended Mass at Notre Dame? What was the music like?
One thing that comes to my husband's mind is that he is looking for an experience similar to an Andrea Bocelli concert held in a church for his album "Sacred Arias." Of course, we don't expect Bocelli, but rather music in that type setting.
Any suggestions?
I don't recall the name of the church I attended, but the music was sort of like Chant, no musical instruments. It was a very old small church, great acoustics.
We won't be traveling to that part of France this time, but will be in Paris three days or so and Provence about five or six days.
I'm aware that Ste. Chapelle has some concerts (and we are interested in that sort of thing, too). Has anyone attended Mass at Notre Dame? What was the music like?
One thing that comes to my husband's mind is that he is looking for an experience similar to an Andrea Bocelli concert held in a church for his album "Sacred Arias." Of course, we don't expect Bocelli, but rather music in that type setting.
Any suggestions?
Jul 25th, 2005, 07:13 AM
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Hi aggie 
ça va bien?
if you ever come to Dijon there will be a CONCERT GRANDES-ORGUES ET PERCUSSIONS at St Benigne cathedral on oct the 16th .http://www.orguecathedraledijon.com/
http://www.orguecathedraledijon.com/...son%202005.htm for details
and also : Festival de Dijon Bourgogne des musiques sacrées du monde (but the tousit office can't give exact dates for now..)
ça va bien?if you ever come to Dijon there will be a CONCERT GRANDES-ORGUES ET PERCUSSIONS at St Benigne cathedral on oct the 16th .http://www.orguecathedraledijon.com/
http://www.orguecathedraledijon.com/...son%202005.htm for details
and also : Festival de Dijon Bourgogne des musiques sacrées du monde (but the tousit office can't give exact dates for now..)
Jul 25th, 2005, 10:24 AM
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Was it actually chant, not sort of like it? Because it could have been Gregorian chant, although that isn't sung that much any more nor at every Mass. But Notre Dame has one Sunday mass with Gregorian chant, I believe. The Sainte Chapelle concerts have nothing to do with Mass or religious services, it's just being used as a concert venue.
They publish the music schedule for Notre Dame masses on their web site, so you can decide (www.cathedraledeparis.com) They also have a section on concerts called "sacred music" for a group of their choir members with organ.
Right now they have Gregorian mass at 10:00, mass with a choir at 11:30 and 6:30 and mass with a cantor (chantre in French) at 12:45. That would be a special soloist.
They publish the music schedule for Notre Dame masses on their web site, so you can decide (www.cathedraledeparis.com) They also have a section on concerts called "sacred music" for a group of their choir members with organ.
Right now they have Gregorian mass at 10:00, mass with a choir at 11:30 and 6:30 and mass with a cantor (chantre in French) at 12:45. That would be a special soloist.
Jul 25th, 2005, 11:42 AM
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Bonjour, coco!
Dijon dans ce voyage? Peut-etre! Est-ce qu'il y a des ruines romaines la-bas?
We are not set in our itinerary yet. I'm going on my DH's lead and he keeps changing his mind! Since we only have 8 or 9 days (not including to CDG and back) we'll have to be selective. The Festival in Dijon sounds wonderful - something we'd definitely enjoy. We will not arrive in France until Oct. 17th or so, so the concert at St. Benigne won't be possible.
Merci beaucoup pour les suggestions.
Christina - thanks for the information about Notre Dame. Exactly what my husband was looking for there for Mass. I didn't even think to look for a website - I'm still in the mindset of the first time I was in France over 30 years ago and, of course, there was no internet and no easily found answers! Thanks - it will help in our decisions.
aggie
PS: How do I find "accents" on my computer? Even my daughter couldn't help me. Anyone?
Dijon dans ce voyage? Peut-etre! Est-ce qu'il y a des ruines romaines la-bas?
We are not set in our itinerary yet. I'm going on my DH's lead and he keeps changing his mind! Since we only have 8 or 9 days (not including to CDG and back) we'll have to be selective. The Festival in Dijon sounds wonderful - something we'd definitely enjoy. We will not arrive in France until Oct. 17th or so, so the concert at St. Benigne won't be possible.
Merci beaucoup pour les suggestions.
Christina - thanks for the information about Notre Dame. Exactly what my husband was looking for there for Mass. I didn't even think to look for a website - I'm still in the mindset of the first time I was in France over 30 years ago and, of course, there was no internet and no easily found answers! Thanks - it will help in our decisions.
aggie
PS: How do I find "accents" on my computer? Even my daughter couldn't help me. Anyone?
Jul 25th, 2005, 02:20 PM
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I've been to Mass at St-Sulpice and the organ music and choir were great. Also attended a service at the American church (known for their choir).
Once you get to Paris you can pickup a copy of Pariscope at any news stand and find out about the concerts that week.
You would have loved the a cappella concert I recently heard in the cathedral in Orvieto (Italy).
Once you get to Paris you can pickup a copy of Pariscope at any news stand and find out about the concerts that week.
You would have loved the a cappella concert I recently heard in the cathedral in Orvieto (Italy).
Jul 25th, 2005, 03:42 PM
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aggiemom-
The way I typically type accent marks is by holding down the alt key while typing a three digit number typically between 128-160ish depending on the language. Ex: ç is done by typing alt 135 and é is alt 130. Unfortunately, I don't have an easy list to share with you. I would recommend opening up Word and doing a bit of trial and error!
Also, search for Character Map on your computer.
Bonne Chance
The way I typically type accent marks is by holding down the alt key while typing a three digit number typically between 128-160ish depending on the language. Ex: ç is done by typing alt 135 and é is alt 130. Unfortunately, I don't have an easy list to share with you. I would recommend opening up Word and doing a bit of trial and error!
Also, search for Character Map on your computer.
Bonne Chance
Jul 25th, 2005, 07:20 PM
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Dear Aggiemom:
The Catholic mass is a religious celebration and not a concert venue. That is why the most famous churches for tourists close off the main body during services.
With that off my chest, you can explore Pariscope for concerts. St. Sulpice is world famous for its organ and visiting choirs often perform there. Notre Dame had its organ completely rebuilt for the centennial of installation five years ago and there is usually an early Sunday evening concert. To my ear, St. Sulpice has better acoustics but my wife strongly disagrees.
The Catholic mass is a religious celebration and not a concert venue. That is why the most famous churches for tourists close off the main body during services.
With that off my chest, you can explore Pariscope for concerts. St. Sulpice is world famous for its organ and visiting choirs often perform there. Notre Dame had its organ completely rebuilt for the centennial of installation five years ago and there is usually an early Sunday evening concert. To my ear, St. Sulpice has better acoustics but my wife strongly disagrees.
Jul 25th, 2005, 07:28 PM
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I have heard some absolutely amazing music/singing in French churches and chapels all over France, but have never ever encountered it any way other than by chance, stopping in to some site on a Sunday. For example, I once encountered a string quartet accompanied by a choir in the tiny romanesque church/chapel at St-Léon-sur-Vézère one Sunday morning, but I was there for a picnic and a hike and had no clue ahead of time.
I suppose there is some major database that someone (the Catholic Church?) keeps, but I'm clueless about how to find that. Maybe contact the tourist bureaux in the towns you'll be in. They'll always have a link to concerts and to the local churches.
I suppose there is some major database that someone (the Catholic Church?) keeps, but I'm clueless about how to find that. Maybe contact the tourist bureaux in the towns you'll be in. They'll always have a link to concerts and to the local churches.
Jul 25th, 2005, 07:47 PM
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payant - I guess maybe my question was a little ambiguous. We want to do TWO things.
We really want to attend Mass to hear the type of music we don't get here in Texas - some sort of chant, singing, something that evokes deeper, spiritual feelings.
I had that experience when I was in France many years ago and it made such an impression on me. We are practicing Catholics and of course do not expect concert music during Mass! Just simple, spiritual music harkening back to days gone by.
That said, in addition to that, we would also like to hear other sacred/spiritual/classical music played in a cathedral setting - outside of Mass.
StCirq - where is St.-Leon-sur-Vezere? We would love to just stumble upon something like that. We did while we were in England and I did when I was in Germany in May. Splendid! Only it spoils me for Mass here - some days I get through Mass only by gritting my teeth...
Thank you all for contributing.
aggie
We really want to attend Mass to hear the type of music we don't get here in Texas - some sort of chant, singing, something that evokes deeper, spiritual feelings.
I had that experience when I was in France many years ago and it made such an impression on me. We are practicing Catholics and of course do not expect concert music during Mass! Just simple, spiritual music harkening back to days gone by.
That said, in addition to that, we would also like to hear other sacred/spiritual/classical music played in a cathedral setting - outside of Mass.
StCirq - where is St.-Leon-sur-Vezere? We would love to just stumble upon something like that. We did while we were in England and I did when I was in Germany in May. Splendid! Only it spoils me for Mass here - some days I get through Mass only by gritting my teeth...
Thank you all for contributing.
aggie
Jul 26th, 2005, 01:31 AM
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bonjour aggie
you don't have to go very far from Dijon to find "ruines galo-romaines" in Alesia (Alise ste Reine now) 60 km! 52 before Jésus-Christ.
http://www.burgundy-tourism.com/patrimoine/index.htm
if you want to read french....
http://alesia-alise.chez.tiscali.fr/
about dijon castrum :
http://www.ville-dijon.fr/scripts/fi...mp;id_info=469
http://www.jedecouvrelafrance.com/f-...-or-dijon.html
bonne journée!
corinne www.myhomeindijon.com
you don't have to go very far from Dijon to find "ruines galo-romaines" in Alesia (Alise ste Reine now) 60 km! 52 before Jésus-Christ.
http://www.burgundy-tourism.com/patrimoine/index.htm
if you want to read french....
http://alesia-alise.chez.tiscali.fr/
about dijon castrum :
http://www.ville-dijon.fr/scripts/fi...mp;id_info=469
http://www.jedecouvrelafrance.com/f-...-or-dijon.html
bonne journée!
corinne www.myhomeindijon.com
Jul 26th, 2005, 02:00 AM
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The timing of this may not work precisely for you. But oddly, it's a great deal easier to get good church music in London, where I note you're passing through.
Apart from the scores of Anglican churches that use the classic Masses (Palestrina, Lassus, Mozart, Haydn etc, sometimes with a full orchestra) as the basis for their main Sunday service, there are around a dozen Catholic churches in the centre that have one or more proper sung Masses in Latin on Sundays.
You need to check (in the previous day's Times) whether they're doing plainsong or something by a polyphonic composer. But St Ethelreda's (the only Catholic church in London built before the Reformation), even though it sometimes strays into Masses composed as late as the 15th century, will always use substantial amounts of Gregorian chant. The (by English standards substantial) congregation joins in for the Credo, the Pater Noster and the responses we remember from before Vatican II let the vandals loose.
Apart from the scores of Anglican churches that use the classic Masses (Palestrina, Lassus, Mozart, Haydn etc, sometimes with a full orchestra) as the basis for their main Sunday service, there are around a dozen Catholic churches in the centre that have one or more proper sung Masses in Latin on Sundays.
You need to check (in the previous day's Times) whether they're doing plainsong or something by a polyphonic composer. But St Ethelreda's (the only Catholic church in London built before the Reformation), even though it sometimes strays into Masses composed as late as the 15th century, will always use substantial amounts of Gregorian chant. The (by English standards substantial) congregation joins in for the Credo, the Pater Noster and the responses we remember from before Vatican II let the vandals loose.
Jul 26th, 2005, 03:20 AM
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oh I forgot 
the archeodrome (my son reminded me he went there in june with his class)near Beaune and Meursault.
http://www.archeodrome-bourgogne.com/index.html
the archeodrome (my son reminded me he went there in june with his class)near Beaune and Meursault.http://www.archeodrome-bourgogne.com/index.html
Jul 26th, 2005, 04:26 AM
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Two suggestions from my limited experience: Mass at St. Sulpice is nice because of the ooutstanding organ. Also, we once attended evensong at Abbaye de Senanque outside of Gordes in Provence. The abbaye is well worth a visit and the chanting of the monks was very special.
Jul 26th, 2005, 08:21 AM
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..agree with Flanneruck.. The cathedrals of England have good choirs though some better than others. The music is part of the service unless it is "dumb day" in which the service is said. In London, St Paul's has a tradition of excellence as does Winchester. The trebles are on vacation from mid July until mid September so there are usually guest choirs of varying caliber during this time. The evensong is sung daily (though 1 day said) . Morning prayer and the eucharist are also sung. These are SERVICES not concert venues. Visitors are of course welcome to attend and participate in the service though the taking of the eucharist is limited.
Jul 26th, 2005, 01:55 PM
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Although I can't recommend any French church services (but concur with the postings about the English services), I read online about a recent French film called "Les Choristes" which has been hugely poplular there. The soundtrack is supposed to be wonderful, but last time I checked it was not yet available in the U.S. I became enamored of French choirs from a CD of Christmas choral music from Brittany.
Jul 26th, 2005, 02:13 PM
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Thanks tartangal for the CD suggestion. Looks very interesting.
bunny and flanner - thanks for the input but sorry to say that UK will not be on our itinerary this trip. We decided since we only have 8 or 9 days to limit our trip to one country and also fly nonstop. Paris CDG fills that bill. (This change had Nothing to do with the bombings.) I love England dearly and will certainly be back again, so I'll save your suggestions for then.
Cheers!
PS: thanks coco for the websites and your email. I will be using it to fine tune our trip!
aggie
bunny and flanner - thanks for the input but sorry to say that UK will not be on our itinerary this trip. We decided since we only have 8 or 9 days to limit our trip to one country and also fly nonstop. Paris CDG fills that bill. (This change had Nothing to do with the bombings.) I love England dearly and will certainly be back again, so I'll save your suggestions for then.
Cheers!
PS: thanks coco for the websites and your email. I will be using it to fine tune our trip!
aggie
