A Musical Reawakening in Montreal

8 Aug 25

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

I just had one of the most emotional reactions to music I’ve ever had. It was at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul near our hotel here in downtown Montreal. I strolled into the cathedral and the choir was rehearsing: one solo, tenor voice over the chorus, who were singing the chord movement behind him. It was a simple arrangement, perfectly performed, but more than reflecting on anything technical or specifically musical, I was overwhelmed with a pure emotional reaction to the sound. This was direct, immediate, heart-felt impact. These slowly floating, heavenly voices consumed me. I wasn’t sure what to think because it’s been a long time since I felt this. The perfect resonance of the hall (the best reverb ever!) contributed too, of course. 

Whatever your feelings about God or organized religion, one truth is immutable and undeniable: much of the most powerful, sublime, effectual artistic expression in the history of mankind has been made in service to God. This transcends denomination, region, or time period. It can be Catholic or Muslim or Jewish (or tied to any other religion). Very often it will surprise you and it will bring you to your knees. It will elicit revelatory wonder.

To walk into a majestic and magnificent old cathedral and be instantly driven to tears by sheer, uncontaminated musical beauty…this doesn’t happen every day. I’m grateful to God, to the musicians, to the composer, to the church. After all these years, in this often heartless, brutal, dishonest, money-obsessed world of 2025, the deep truth of music can still pull me in and blow me away. Amen. hg