Abbot Notker Wolf and Dr. Ruth Krusemark Perform

Friday August 6 St. Benedict's Abbey hosted the American Benedictine Academy. Abbot Notker Wolf, the current Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Confederation of the Order of Saint Benedict, was among the presenters. Friday was capped off with a concert featuring Father Blaine Schultz, Sister Janelle Maes and Dr. Ruth Krusemark sharing their musical talents from behind the Abbey's organ. Dr. Krusemark moved to the piano and was joined by the Abbot Primate on flute.

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• Ruth
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• Kansasmonks
• St. Benedict's Abbey
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• Barnabas Senecal
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[rmaderak]

To LiturgicalChants: as a alumn of Benedictine College (which shares its campus with St. Benedict's Abbey) and of the chamber choir which Dr. Krusemark directs, I can assure you that sacred music and chant are very much alive and important at St. Benedict's Abbey and at Benedictine College. And might I point out the irony of criticizing their peformance of a piece by Handel (composer of "The Messiah," need I point out). Not exactly "20th century liturgical music," which I share your feelings on.

[LiturgicalChants]

The music is pleasant, however, as we can see from all the elderly people in the stadium, being only "easy listening" is not what church music is ment to be. It does not produce the sort of vibrant mysticism and challenge necessary to motivate young people and others who find frivolous and trite the 20th century liturgical music experiements and reforms.

[LiturgicalChants]

As evidenced here, these days benedictines are known more for their secular instrumental music than their chant. Solesmes keeps some alive, but as for the rest..anything goes.

[mfelzien]

Wonderful!

Enjoyed your performance and the article on Abbot Barnabas Senecal on PBS your helping America through a difficult time. Thank you for your blessings.