22 November—Fifty-nine years ago today, President John Kennedy was assassinated. The Roman Catholic Church celebrates 22 November as the feast day of Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of blindness and music.

Long story short, after JFK’s death was announced, WQXR, The New York Times radio station back then, quite understandably played requiem music all afternoon. Including the most beautiful Sanctus I had ever heard.

This is it, the Sanctus from Charles Gounod’s Messe solennelle en l’honneur de Sainte-Cécile—the St. Cecilia Mass.

It still is the most beautiful Sanctus—and among the most beautiful music—I’ve ever heard . . .