Research!

I've barely mentioned it thus far, but the reason I'm able to go with Steve on this adventure is that it relates to my thesis, an investigation of the late sacred choral works of Francis Poulenc (1899-1963). At first, I was interested in examining the humor in these sacred works, exploring the oft-repeated idea that Poulenc was "part monk, and part naughty boy." After reading an article by Christopher Moore suggesting that Poulenc invented that expression as a PR ploy (simplifying a bit), I got to wondering what this music might say about his Catholicism. He grew up in a secular Parisian family, but claimed to have had a religious awakening in 1936 after the sudden, gruesome death of a colleague in a car accident, and some of his sacred works are more serious than the rest of his output. But the Gloria (1960) is much more light-hearted; interestingly, it was not as popular in France as more serious Stabat Mater (1950). Granted, the Gloria was commissioned by an American ensemble, the Boston Symphony, but had Poulenc given up trying to match the serious works by, for example, Olivier Messiaen?

These musings bring up deeper questions that we have always had about music: what can notes on a page or organized sounds truly represent? Can one really decipher anything - lifestyle, values, religious beliefs, etc. - about a composer by the music he or she writes?

Through this trip, I'll also be able to broaden my horizons as a church musician. One of the visiting pastors (not sure of his official title) at the American Church in Paris is also a member of my church, as is his wife. They will be in Paris from early July, and I look forward to experiencing the American Church's worship services, as well as those of other churches in the city. ACP is a nondenominational Christian church, but I'm also curious about what it means to be Catholic in France. My impression from afar is that Parisians tend to embrace Catholicism as a tradition more than as a faith practice, but I could be 100% wrong! We'll see how far all my French practice with Duolingo and Memrise have gotten me asking questions like that...