American Premiere of Jubel Messe 

“A Jubilee Fest,” the American premiere of Max Keller’s Jubel Messe, was held on Friday, Oct. 24, 2008, at the Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis. The concert was a benefit for the School Sisters of Notre Dame, who are celebrating the 175th anniversary of their founding and 150 years of ministry in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

Dr. Geraldine M. Rohling, PhD, an internationally recognized musicologist, conductor and composer, directed a program of “new” music for soli, mixed chorus and orchestra, which she recovered from archives in Bavaria and Austria. The music selected for the concert was from the region and time period of the founding of the congregation.

Composer Max Keller was a contemporary of Blessed Mary Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger, foundress of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. In 1847, before leaving for America, Blessed Theresa sent five candidates on pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady in Altötting, Bavaria, to pray for the journey and the new missions in America.

The Jubel Messe (Jubilation Mass) was first performed in Altötting on Oct. 6, 1851. After its premiere, the composition was placed in the music archives of the Kapellstiftung in Altötting, Bavaria, where it remained silent for more than 100 years. Dr. Rohling found the composition and prepared a performing edition of the work. Her revival of the work premiered in Altötting in 2007.

The concert also featured the Lauretanische Litanei in B-flat by Johann Caspar Aiblinger, director of the Royal Court Orchestra. A friend of Blessed Theresa and one of her favorite composers, Aiblinger lived at the motherhouse in Munich and composed music for the sisters.

Included in the program were works by Johann Michael Haydn and Wolfgang A. Mozart.

Dr. Rohling is a graduate of Notre Dame High School and the former Notre Dame College in St. Louis. She also taught in the music department of Notre Dame High School from 1983-87.

Thank you to everyone who attended the concert, was a concert sponsor or purchased ads for the program book.

We also extend our appreciation to:
Sister Joan Andert and Rosati-Kain High School, planning and
     equipment
John Romeri, Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Laurie Hasty, Sheldon Concert Hall
Purviance and Company Marketing Communications, design
Murray Print Shop, printing
Grimm Kruse Florist, flowers
Chris Caldwell, photography
Jerry Adlersfluegel, videotaping
Russo's Gourmet Catering, reception
All the SSNDs who helped plan and promote this event!