Francis McBeth (1933-2012)
Kaddish (rhymes with Schottische) is an ancient Jewish doxological prayer for the dead. It is said by the bereaved each morning and evening for eleven months, then on the anniversary of the death thereafter. To it is ascribed the power of redeeming the departed soul from any suffering and the efficacy of invalidating an evil decree.
The composition was written as a memorial to J. Clifton Williams, noted composer and former teacher of McBeth at the University of Texas.
This work is a combination of all emotions that surround the death of a friend— cries, shouts, resignation and sorrow—but the work should end as an alleluia, an affirmation of life. The “heartbeat” that runs throughout the piece in the percussion is a rhythmic quote from Williams’ Caccia and Chorale.
—Program note by Francis McBeth
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