A dynamic exploration of catholicity in its tending towards wholeness evokes a variety of dimensions held in both-and tension. Two interrelated ones which the reality of musicking (music in its composition, performance and enjoyment) is particularly apt to help us explore is the material-spiritual nature of human life and thought over the course of our human story or biography. This paper will explore this through the lens of Hans Urs von Balthasar's complex relationship with music as it expresses itself (or not) in his thought. From 'The Development of the Musical Idea: Attempt at a Synthesis of Music' to Tribute to Mozart through "Truth Is Symphonic: Aspects of Christian Pluralism" the paper proposes that a biographical attention to the whole of Balthasar's life through the lens of these punctuated writings on music has insights to offer about the rest of his opera, in both the gifts and conundrums of his heritage and influence in Catholic theology and doctrine. Balthasar's symbolisation and theologisation of gender roles is one of these aspects. Music's universally concrete materiality has a central role to play in contemporary theology if we attend to its particular semiotic and symbolic form.