Pope Benedict XVI Greets the choir, People at the end of the Concert

(October 02, 2010) The word of faith needs large inner silence, to listen and obey a voice that is beyond the visible and tangible. This voice speaks through the phenomena of nature, because it is the power that has created and continues to govern the universe, to be recognized by a humble and obedient heart, said Pope Benedict XVI. He was speaking at the end of a concert in his honour held by the Santa Cecilia Academy orchestra and choir, offered by the Italian oil and gas corporation ENI at the Vatican at the Vatican Friday, October the first. The Pope further said that faith follows this deep voice where art alone cannot reach but following in the way of testimony, offer itself for love, as did Cecilia through her ultimate sacrifice. Congratulating the Orchestra for the marvellous performance the Pontiff said that the two works by Haydn and Beethoven have presented all the richness and power of symphonic music of the classical period and romantic times, bringing the human race into creative balance with nature, giving rise to various and varied harmonies, where the human voice which is part of this language, gives the reflection of the great cosmic symphony. This form said the Holy Father, is especially characteristic of the romantic and late romantic period, but goes beyond, is a universal dimension of art, a way of understanding the man and his place in the world. It is interesting that this testimony is personified in St. Cecilia, a martyr who is also the patron saint of music and beautiful singing, said Pope Benedict.