A Dieu

Why commission a mass from Zad Moultaka?

By Philippe Cormier

As a Catholic philosopher and lover of contemporary music, I have long reflected on the intersection of several divorces: the divorce between the Church and the art world, between faith and artists, in an increasingly radically de-Christianised world; the divorce, too, between most music lovers, not to mention the general public, and contemporary creation. The same is true between churchgoers, including the clergy, and the creation of sacred music. I once posited that the answer to the question ‘Is it still possible, after the Second Vatican Council, to write a mass that is both liturgical and true music, reviving a centuries-old tradition?’ should be yes. I found strong support for this idea among the musicians of Nantes Cathedral, Julien Buis, choirmaster, and Michel Bourcier, titular organist. In the meantime, the outbreak of a virus and the fire at Nantes Cathedral put a damper on the project. And yet, just when we could have given up, Zad Moultaka, contacted at the beginning of the summer of 2025, gave us his enthusiastic and inspired agreement. 

Zad Moultaka, contacted at the beginning of summer 2025, gave us his enthusiastic approval.  The fact that Zad is a Lebanese Maronite is, for me, a nod from Providence, because when it comes to reviving a tradition, one could not dream of better inspiration than that provided by Moultaka, who combines profound spirituality with roots in the most ancient Eastern Christian liturgies and the most contemporary writing. To all lovers of sacred music, contemporary music and the music of Zad Moultaka, I invite you to join me at Nantes Cathedral on Sunday 4 October 2026, the anniversary of the dedication of the cathedral to Saints Peter and Paul.