By Angela E. Pometto
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 11/4/04)

While Jews remember those who have passed on, Catholics continue to pray for the repose of their souls. These two traditions combine brilliantly in the "Yizkor Requiem" by Thomas Beveridge — a 10-part, classical-style piece performed with orchestra and chorale.

The "Yizkor Requiem" premiered in April 1994 at St. Mark Church in Vienna with the New Dominion Chorale, which Beveridge directs. Ten years later, the chorale is singing it again on Nov. 7 at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center on the campus of Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria at 4 p.m.

According to Beveridge, the story of this interesting work begins with his father, an Episcopal minister and professional musician, who was interested in the connection between the Jewish worship of the synagogue and the Christian liturgy. Since the early Christians were converted Jews, he knew there had to be some overlap in the very beginning.

To continue his studies, Beveridge’s father went to Israel and studied at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute for Theological Studies, a Vatican-run program that promotes dialogue between Christians, Muslims and Jews. His time in the Holy Land had a profound impact on his life, said Beveridge.

So when his father died in 1991, Beveridge decided to write a piece of music in his memory.

"It took me a long time to assemble the texts," Beveridge said. "It’s written in memory of both my parents."

The music he composed became a simultaneous look at the Catholic requiem Mass and the Jewish Yizkor, or memorial.

"As a musician, I’ve sung in many different churches," Beveridge said. "I had a good handle on music styles in both religions."

When researching, Beveridge found many passages that were similar or identical between the Catholic and Jewish liturgies. He took these parts and put them on top of each other. There is a cantor who, in the style of the synagogue, sings everything in Hebrew. Behind this, the choir sings in Latin. At times, one or the other is perhaps stronger, but throughout the styles are harmoniously grafted onto each other.

"No one else has ever tried to do this," Beveridge said.

On the Jewish side, Beveridge said it is a common misconception that Jews do not believe in an afterlife. He based some of the music on the images from Jewish tradition depicting the departed souls walking in the Garden of Eden. This and the Catholic idea of Heaven bring an optimistic feel to the music that remembers the dead, Beveridge said.

The New Dominion Chorale, now in its 14th year, is a 230-voice choir and orchestra that performs classical works, including the Catholic Mass settings of Mozart, Verdi and others. Choir members are people of faith, both Christian and Jewish, Beveridge said.

The Nov. 7 performance will last about an hour and will include a Shubert piece, "The Song of Miriam." This is a rarely performed work, but Beveridge chose it because it illustrated another gentile composer who wrote about the Jewish experience.

The piece has been performed at Georgetown University, the Washington Hebrew Congregation, the National Cathedral, the Kennedy Center and in Germany. It has never failed to bring a crowd, Beveridge said, adding that it is also the New Dominion Chorale’s favorite piece to perform. The Kennedy Center performance was recorded and is available through Amazon. It also will be recorded in London soon.

"It’s a beautiful thing to sing," said Joan Filson, a singer in the New Dominion Chorale and a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Alexandria. Filson enjoys the many nuances within the music. "It’s an extraordinary work of music," she said.

For more information go to www.newdominion.org.