Swiss Guard celebrates Christmas on a musical note
(Vatican Radio) Music is not something one immediately associates with the Pontifical
Swiss Guard. These men who wear the distinctive Renaissance style dress uniform of
blue, red, orange and yellow are usually to be found guarding Vatican entrances, answering
tourists’ queries and most importantly ensuring the personal safety of the Pope.
But
this year the guards, who do on occasion, perform at Papal events, have added quite
literally another string to their bow. Christmas music.
For weeks members
of this highly trained force have been busy rehearsing in their barracks inside the
Vatican to perform on a CD of Christmas Carols entitled, “Christmas with the Pontifical
Swiss Guard.”
The CD, which was recorded at the studios of Vatican Radio, features
five Swiss Guards and Paraguayan harpist Daniela Lorenz performing well know favourites
such as “Little Drummer Boy”, Silent Night and Adeste Fideles as well as a number
of other German and Italian carols .
"Most of them are German Christmas songs,
so they are well known in the German part of Europe, but they are just instrumentals,
without singing, without lyrics."
Swiss Guard Julian Murmann got to use his
musical talents on the CD
"I'm playing the drums, exactly, so I am just playing
for four songs."
Another Swiss Guard musician featured on the CD is Franz
Hurlimann.
"I am playing the saxophone, my part is the second saxophone because
their of two of us who are playing the saxophone."
He says it will it is the
best present he could give his family.
"That's the best present I can give
because it's very special, nobody, not many can do that."
This album adds to
the festive cheer decending on the Vatican in the form of the traditional Christimas
tree and Nativity scene and as Pope Benedict’s is well known for his love of music,
this Christmas compilation of carols by the Swiss Guards should make the perfect festive
gift for their Ceremonial Chief. Listen to this report by Lydia O'Kane