More than a hundred years after Dvořák, Naji Hakim (*1955 in Beirut) wrote his “Messe solennelle”, or “solemn mass”, in 1999. It combines the traditional liturgical form with a rhythmically lively tonal language that is characterised by Hakim’s origins in Lebanon and French organ music.
Choir and organ are extraordinarily intertwined
The close interweaving of choir and organ is extraordinary. The organ not only accompanies, but also makes the mass a radiant experience. The “Messe solennelle” follows the French tradition and contains no Credo, as this is spoken by the congregation.
When Hakim wrote the “Messe solennelle”, some of his compositions had already won international awards. It was premiered in Manchester in 2000. An orchestral version followed later.
Hakim’s love of the organ
Hakim discovered his love for the organ at the age of five. The sound of it in his church in Beirut intoxicated him. He himself says: “From then on, I knew that I wanted to play this instrument.” He remained true to this wish.
… shows itself in compositions full of variety
As a child, he took piano lessons and taught himself to play the organ at his school band, using textbooks by Marcel Dupré (1886-1971), among others. After training as an engineer in Beirut, Hakim went to Paris and studied music with Jean Langlais (1907-1991), among others. He graduated from the Paris Conservatoire with great success
organ studies at the Paris Conservatory. Since the 1980s, he has created an impressive variety of compositions: Organ solos, works for organ and instruments as well as instrumental, symphonic and vocal music.
… and in the churches of Paris
Hakim has worked as an organist at the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre since 1985. In 1993, he succeeded Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) as titular organist at the Église de la Sainte-Trinité for 15 years. He then taught as a professor at the Conservatoire National de Région de Boulogne-Billancourt and as a visiting professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
“Honouring God and making people happy”
In his work, Hakim draws on a variety of sources: Gregorian and Maronite chant, Luther’s chorales, Danish hymns, folklore, Holy Scripture, poetry and the work of other composers such as Stravinsky, Messiaen, Gershwin, Bach and Langlais.
In an interview in 2023, he summarised his musical work as follows: “Everything I do is to honour God and make people happy.” With his quote “Music is the word of the inexpressible”, Naji Hakim expresses that music offers a way to express what cannot be said with words.
A sought-after organist and composer of our time
Today, Naji Hakim is one of the most sought-after organists and composers of our time. His works are performed in churches and concert halls around the world. He himself can be heard as a concert organist throughout Europe – not only with his own compositions, but also with improvisations and works ranging from Bach to Messiaen.
Hakim can also be heard in concert with his wife. He is married to the musicologist, composer and organist Marie-Bernadette Dufourcet. The couple live in Bayonne.
The “Messe solennelle” is one of Hakim’s five masses
The “Messe solennelle” is one of a total of five masses in which Hakim expresses different musical genres. The others are the solo masses “Missa resurrectionis” for soprano (1994) and the “Missa cum jubilo” for solo cello (2020) as well as the a cappella masses “Missa redemptionis” (1995) and “Missa Brevis” (also “Grazer Messe”, 2012).
Today for the first time in Berlin – in the presence of the composer
Naji Hakim’s “Messe solennelle” will be performed in its original version for choir and organ for the first time in Berlin today. Naji Hakim and Marie-Bernadette Dufourcet will be present at the Berlin premiere.
