LATROBE, PA – The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO), under the direction of Maestro Manfred Honeck, will perform “Music for the Spirit,” including a selection in honor of the late Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., at 7 p.m. April 30 in the Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica.
A pre-performance reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. in Amil and MaryAnn DiPadova Hall.
General admission tickets cost $30 apiece. Tickets for the reception and reserved seating cost $150 each. Sponsorship opportunities also are available. Ticket can be purchased online at www.eventsquid.com/event/27186 or by calling 724-805-2177.
“Archabbot Douglas cherished his friendship with Maestro Manfred Honeck and Saint Vincent’s strong relationship with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra,” said Father Paul Taylor, O.S.B., C’87, S’91, president of Saint Vincent College. “Archabbot and Maestro always looked for new and creative ways to bring the superb music of the PSO to the Archabbey Basilica for all of us at Saint Vincent and for the local community. Faith and piety have always been an inspiration for the best music, so the performance of these unique pieces in the Basilica Church enchants the listener to the deeper appreciation of art and perhaps a deeper expression of faith.”
The PSO and the Saint Vincent Schola will perform “Elysium” by Samy Moussa and “Litanei auf das Fest Aller Seelen, D.343” by Franz Schubert (arrangement by Honeck). The symphony also will perform James MacMillan’s “Larghetto for Orchestra” in honor of Archabbot Douglas and Franz Schmidt’s “Notre Dame: Intermezzo.”
“Music has the extraordinary ability to uplift the spirit, bring communities together, and honor those who have left a profound impact on our lives,” Honeck said. “It is a privilege for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra to return to Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica, a place of deep reflection and tradition, to present ‘Music for the Spirit.’ This program is not only a celebration of profound and transcendent music, but also a tribute to the life and legacy of Archabbot Douglas, whose vision and leadership shaped his community in remarkable ways. Uniting the PSO, the Saint Vincent Schola and the great artistry of Paul Jacobs, this evening will offer solace, inspiration and reverence.”
The event will close with Grammy Award-winning organist Paul Jacobs, who will perform Félix Alexandre Guilmant’s “Symphony No. 1, Organ and Orchestra, Opus 42.” A native of Washington, Pennsylvania, Jacobs has been heralded as “one of the major musicians of our time” by the New Yorker and “America’s leading organ performer” by the Economist.
About the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
In its 130th season, the PSO has a rich history of engaging the world’s finest conductors and musicians and demonstrates a firm commitment to serving as a cultural ambassador of the Pittsburgh region. Honeck has served as musical director since 2008.
About Archabbot Douglas
Archabbot Douglas, P’63, C’68, S’72, D’95, was the 11th and second longest-serving archabbot in the 178-year history of Saint Vincent, serving from 1991 until he retired in 2020. He died in July 2024 after a brief illness.
Saint Vincent had significant growth under Archabbot Douglas’ leadership. His legacy includes the Fred M. Rogers Center, the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, the Sis and Herman Dupré Science Pavilion, the Monastery Run Improvement Project, the renovation of the historic Grist Mill and construction of the Mary, Mother of Wisdom Chapel.
About Paul Jacobs
The only organist to win a Grammy Award—in 2011 for Messiaen’s “Livre du Saint-Sacrément”— Jacobs is an eloquent champion of his instrument both in the United States and abroad. He has performed to great critical acclaim in all 50 states and on five continents.
Jacobs has appeared with the Chicago Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, Montreal Symphony, Nashville Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony and Warsaw Philharmonic. He studied at the Curtis Institute of Music and at Yale University. He joined the faculty of The Juilliard School in 2003 and was named chairman of the organ department in 2004, one of the youngest faculty appointees in the school’s history.
Paul Jacobs
Maestro Manfred Honeck conducts the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on Dec. 6, 2023, at the Saint Vincent Basilica
