Forget the Da Vinci Code—Italian Musician and Computer Tech Finds a Requiem Soundtrack of the Passion of Jesus in The Last Supper

Teresa Neumann : Nov 13, 2007
Ariel David—AP

"It's certain that the spaces (in the painting) are divided harmonically. Where you have harmonic proportions, you can find music...It's like a soundtrack that emphasizes the passion of Jesus."

(Rome)?In his newly released book, La Musica Celata ("The Hidden Music"), Italian musician and computer technician Giovanni Maria Pala contends he has discovered that?contrary to popular conspiracy theories such as the Da Vinci Code?Leonardo DaVinci' really believed in God, and that his famous painting of the Last Supper actually contains a musical composition. (Photo Credit: Gregorio Borgia/AP)

"It sounds like a requiem," said Pala. "It's like a soundtrack that emphasizes the passion of Jesus."

According to an AP report, Pala first saw "that by drawing the five lines of a musical staff across the painting, the loaves of bread on the table as well as the hands of Jesus and the Apostles could each represent a musical note." But, says reporter Ariel David, the notes made no sense musically until Pala realized that the score had to be read from right to left, following Leonardo's particular writing style.

"There's always a risk of seeing something that is not there, but it's certain that the spaces (in the painting) are divided harmonically," said Pala. "Where you have harmonic proportions, you can find music."