Conductor to do double duty with Pittsburgh, Vatican concerts

Published: 2003-12-16

PITTSBURGH (CNS) -- Maestro Gilbert Levine has built a close bond with the man who has led the Catholic Church for the last 25 years. "I've had the privilege of working with His Holiness for 15 years on musical aspects of some important themes of his pontificate," Levine said. And it was "the pope's maestro," as he has been called, who initiated a landmark musical celebration of Pope John Paul II's silver jubilee. Levine will lead the Pittsburgh Symphony in a concert titled "Reconciliation Between Jews, Christians and Muslims" Jan. 13 in Pittsburgh, and four days later perform it at the Vatican for the pope. The Diocese of Pittsburgh, joined by the Christian Leaders Fellowship and the interfaith Religious Leadership Forum, is sponsoring the Pittsburgh concert, which commemorates Pope John Paul's lifelong work in promoting ecumenical and interfaith outreach. It features Gustav Mahler's Second Symphony, "Resurrection," as the centerpiece and includes John Harbison's "Abraham" for chorus and orchestra.

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