Music in the Cathedral

The nave of Antwerp Cathedral in full of music, with a row of display boards with old manuscripts and explanations of each of them.

Show and tell: music in Antwerp Cathedral

In one chapel of the cathedral is a sound installation, a very modern installation playing very old polyphonic music.

Music manuscript

Antwerp in Flanders

I lived in Antwerp for 9 months when I was 22 and hadn't been back since. I had forgotten how pretty the city is, particularly the inner city.

Antwerp cathedral

A glorious cathedral, said to be the finest Gothic cathedral in Europe,  towers over the old town with its distinctive Flemish houses.

Antwerp inner city

I was told the houses are used, either for city administration or as private housing as that is the way to make sure they are maintained.

Side chapel in the Cathedral with
Our Lady of Antwerp.

Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp

It is a very religious city, is now Catholic but was Protestant in its past. Like much of Europe the religion changed with the overlords.

If you ask the people here where they come from they say they are Flemish or European, not Belgian.

St Andrews in Sydney

I used to work almost opposite St Andrews Cathedral in Sydney but until last night I had never been inside the building. The Cathedral is right next door to the Sydney Town Hall - another seldom frequented building. I think I have been in the Town Hall once.

Last night I heard the Messiah at St Andrews and it was definitely worth the effort of getting there.

Side door of St Andrews Cathedral in Sydney

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujahhhh

Beethoven's 9th at the Maribor Music Festival

Tonight was the final concert of Maribor Music Festival 2012: 'Ode to Joy'. Brahms, Messiaen, then Beethoven's 9th, a truly stirring piece. With combined orchestra and mass choir it was a great way to finish the festival.  A couple of years ago they played Beethoven's 8th in the Cathedral and I remember it was just as powerful.

Listening to a concert in the Maribor Cahedral

Tomorrow the cathedral will again be full of worshippers again, as it was last Sunday when I drew the picture below.

Sunday service in the Maribor Cathedral