Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra series is centered on faith

2012-03-29 22:09:27
  • PSO music director Manfred Honeck -- "I think [music is] a wonderful instrument to create a lot of understanding with each other."
    Rebecca Droke
    PSO music director Manfred Honeck -- "I think [music is] a wonderful instrument to create a lot of understanding with each other."

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By Julie Percha / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A symphony is music to the ears, but a new series of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra seeks to assure that it's also music for the soul.

The PSO will take to St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland tonight for a free Music for the Spirit concert, part of a new annual series that uses universal messages of music to promote dialogue across religions.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's Music for the Spirit

Where: St. Paul Roman Catholic Cathedral, Oakland

When: 7:30 tonight

Tickets: Sold out.

Information: 412-392-4900 or www.pittsburghsymphony.org.

"Music is something which is a part of a human being, and it's a communicator," said music director Manfred Honeck, a devout Roman Catholic. "I think it's a wonderful instrument to create a lot of understanding with each other."

The PSO's Music for the Spirit series will feature two performances each season -- a subscription concert at Heinz Hall, Downtown, and a free concert that annually rotates venues at a local church, mosque, synagogue or other community spirituality center.

The series season opened in December with performances of Verdi's Requiem at Heinz Hall, led by Mr. Honeck. Thursday's performance at the Diocese of Pittsburgh's mother church further emphasizes the series' focus on religious unity.

"It's essential that we have a greater appreciation for our neighbors' perspectives and for what they bring to the table," said Rabbi Aaron Bisno of Rodef Shalom, who has been involved in Music for the Spirit since its planning phase. "We are able to join together and create in a way that wouldn't be possible if we didn't recognize our shared sense of humanity."

The inspiration for Music for the Spirit came in January 2004 -- four years before Mr. Honeck was named director -- when the PSO became the first American orchestra to perform at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II.

There, the pontiff was joined by leading bishops, rabbis and imams to promote interfaith understanding among Christianity, Judaism and Islam -- the three religions that claim Abraham as their patriarch.

"We can come together at a moment like that, because the soul knows only unity," said the Rev. Ronald Lengwin, spokesman for the Diocese of Pittsburgh and a member of the Music for the Spirit planning committee. "Although our love for God is expressed in different ways, it still is love for God."

Julie Percha: jpercha@post-gazette.com or 412-263-4903.
First Published February 17, 2011 12:00 am
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