Music and spirituality: a festival for St. Cäcilia in the Zwettl Abbey

Music and spirituality: a festival for St. Cäcilia in the Zwettl Abbey

In an important event for the music scene of the Zwettl abbey, a special fair took place on December 1, which was led by the talented monastery chapel Stefanie Sillar. The trade fair, which sounded at 10:15 a.m. in the monastery church, offered a performance of the "Dixit Maria" work by the Renaissance composer Hans Leo Hassler. This musical piece enriches the long tradition of spiritual music, which is very important in the monastery church.

Another highlight is the annual festival in honor of St. Cäcilia, which is celebrated on November 22nd. This holy figure is considered the patronage of the musicians and has been declared the patron saint of spiritual music over the centuries - but not without a certain misunderstanding about her life story. As a Roman martyr from the 3rd century, Cäcilia is surrounded by many legends.

origins and legends

The legend says that Cäcilia lived in one of the most famous districts of Rome, Trastevere, in which many local and music events are very well received today. It is said that even during her wedding she was played to music, she was completely deepened into her prayer. This depth was incorrectly interpreted as use on music. This is how the connection to the music was created when the expression "while the instruments sounded, that in their heart sang God alone".

This misinterpretation meant that the Christian world of images represented it as a musical instrument in connection with its sacred being. The celebrations in honor of St. Cäcilia are therefore not only a tribute to this famous figure, but also a sign of respect and gratitude for musicians for the importance of music in worship and in everyday life.

The committed direction of Stefanie Sillar and the celebrations to Cäcilia show the lively and persistent connection between music and spirituality in the Zwettl Abbey. For more information about upcoming music events and the traditions around St. Cäcilia, see the report on www.noen.at .