Choosing a new pope? There’s a Spotify playlist for that

The cardinal who will choose the next pope will pray for guidance, but all believers need to pray along, says theologian Timothy O'Malley, director of the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy.

(RNS) In his last hours on the job, Pope Benedict XVI asked the world to pray for the church, and now there’s a music playlist to put people in the mood for love.

That would be the love of the Holy Spirit. The cardinal who will choose the next pope will pray for guidance, but all believers need to pray along, says theologian Timothy O’Malley, director of the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy.

The music site Spotify called on O’Malley and other experts at University of Notre Dame to select two dozen chants, hymns, suites, orchestral music and more at Conclave: Institute for Church Life, University of Notre Dame


“People who know sacred music will find this to be a greatest hits list,” O’Malley says. But among the classics are some surprises.

Charles Wesley wasn’t Catholic, for example, but his hymn Love Divine, all loves excelling is on the list “because the theme is what we were going for — it’s about love and unity and prayer.” And Aaron Copeland’s Appalachian Spring is included for its mood of rebirth and renewal, he says.

There’s been a lot of media commentary that the Vatican is in disarray and needs a strong manager to take over from the shy, scholarly Benedict. But O’Malley says, “Even if they are looking for a CEO type, there are a lot more to worry about. People want a person who is inspired by the Holy Spirit and we think prayer for that can’t be a bad thing.”

Artists and titles:

Giovanni Perluigi da Palestrina – Tu es Petrus: Tu es Petrus

Maurice Duruflé – Tu es Petrus: Tu es Petrus

Maurice Duruflé – Ubi caritas

Holst, Gustav – Holst: Nunc Dimittis – Nunc Dimittis

Charles Villiers Stanford – Beati quorum via, from Three Motets, Op. 38

William Byrd – Byrd: Sing Joyfully

Jörg Halubek – Lux aeterna: O Nata Lux

James MacMillan – The Lamb has come for us from the House of David
 
Thomas Tallis – O Lord, give thy holy spirit

Britten Singers – 2 Psalms: Psalm 148, “Lord, Who hast made us for thine own”

Francis Bardot – Veni Sancte Spiritus, K. 47 – Allegro

The Choir Of Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge – O Thou Sweetest Source

The Sixteen and Harry Christophers – Veni creator spiritus (à 4)
 
The Collegeville Composers Group – Pentecost Sequence: Holy Spirit, Lord of Light


Antony Pitts – The Hymns and Songs of the Church (arr. A. Pitts): No. 44. Veni Creator: Come Holy Ghost

The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge – Come down, O love divine

Tomás Luis de Victoria – Salve Regina a 8
 
Tenebrae – Miserere

Nashville Chamber Orchestra – Appalachian Spring: Suite
 
London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) – The Lark Ascending

London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) – Variations on an Original Theme ‘Enigma’ Op. 36: IX.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra – Firebird Suite

Chanticleer – Tallis: If Ye Love Me

John Rutter – Love divine, all loves excelling

(Cathy Lynn Grossman writes for USA Today)

 

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