Share In A Papal Musical Gift

By MICHELLE BEARDEN The Tampa Tribune

Published: Apr 19, 2008

What to give a pope for his birthday?

That's a question the Catholic faithful were asking Wednesday as Pope Benedict XVI - in the United States for his first visit since being elected three years ago - celebrated his 81st in Washington.

He got a lot of gifts from his American hosts. But perhaps the best will be right here in downtown Tampa at 4 p.m. Sunday. That's when Florida Pro Musica performs the world premiere of "Missa pro nova aurora" ("Mass for a new dawn") in the breathtaking venue of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

This 30-minute work was composed by John Paul Russo, a Capuchin-Franciscan friar and former Tampa resident. In the summer of 2006, he dedicated the piece to the music-loving pope, who graciously accepted the gift through an intermediary in Rome. Benedict signed one of the two scores sent to him and returned it to Brother John.

"I'm hoping the other one is sitting on his piano, ready to be played," the friar says.

We can understand why the pope can't be here to soak in the beauty of this masterful sacred composition. He'll be in Yankee Stadium, celebrating Mass before 100,000 in the final appearance of his six-day journey to Washington and New York.

But the "Missa pro nova aurora" composer will be here to enjoy the moment when professional chamber singers take his music from the written page to collective heavenly voice. Written in Latin, the solemn composition highlights the five Ordinaries of the Mass: the Kyrie, the Gloria, the Credo, the Sanctus and the Agnus Dei. It commemorates the dawn of the new millennium for the church and world.

"It's a moment of self-revelation to hear your music performed," its author says. "You're exposed and vulnerable, especially when you have friends and family in the audience. But there's no greater feeling than to be a witness to this."

Brother John, 40, who left here last year after serving a decade as pastoral assistant at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, is based in Union City, N.J., where he's vocations director of his province. Although The Florida Orchestra has played two of his orchestral works, Sunday's a cappella performance by the Bay area singers will be a first-time experience for him.

"It's what a composer dreams of," he says.

Brother John was well on his way to a career in music when God called him to spiritual life. The Delaware native started playing the piano at age 9; two years later, he was composing his own works.

During high school, he attended a community music school to study theory and composition. Then he went on to the prestigious Eastman School of Music to earn his bachelor's degree in music, followed by a year at Indiana University.

While in school, he earned several national awards for his works, including a Young Composer Award from the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts and a Charles Ives Scholarship from the National Academy of Arts and Letters.

But halfway through earning his master's in music composition at Indiana, he dropped out to pursue religious life with the Capuchin-Franciscan friars.

"When you get that pull to serve God, it's hard to walk away. I knew in my heart that's what I was called to do," Brother John says.

He didn't have to give up one passion for another. With the blessings of his order, he found a way to meld both. Whenever he wasn't doing his ministry, he worked on his music, even if it meant middle-of-the-night writing sessions.

"The leadership has always encouraged us to pursue the gifts God gives us," he says. "So I found a way to use my music to build up the Kingdom of God, to build up the church."

When Larry Kent, Florida Pro Musica director, first heard the tape sent to him by Brother John, he was immediately taken by the work's depth and breadth.

"Writing a full-length Mass is a big task and takes a serious commitment," Kent says. "You can tell this commitment not only comes from a musician, but a spiritual man as well."

It was a difficult piece for the 14 singers to master. They've been rehearsing Monday evenings for several weeks. The work has moments that are "uplifting and optimistic."

"If you know the Latin Mass, you'll be able to follow the text," Kent says.

And what can the audience expect? "I think it's serious, it's happy, it's sad, it's mysterious at times, and the last movement is breathtaking."

George Western, 55, a tenor with the ensemble, agrees. The marketing manager at Tech Data says he has to be careful about not getting too caught up in "Missa pro nova aurora," which is "as beautiful and profound as anything I've ever been a part of."

"I have to remember to not get so involved that I don't pay attention to what I'm doing or to Larry," he says. "It can have that effect on you. It literally can pick you up and carry you away."

I don't know enough about music to offer a review of the rehearsal I attended. But I know this much: It nearly brought me to tears. It's a darn shame the pope is otherwise occupied on Sunday. Perhaps one day he will get the pleasure of hearing this riveting composition in a live performance.

What next for the talented Brother John? You'll love this: He's working on an interactive rosary composition with a string orchestra, baritone and alto solos and a full chorus, to be performed at World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia, this summer. It's accompanied by a Power-Point presentation of images of religious art masterpieces, shown in sync to the words of Hail Mary.

"I see music as a form of spiritual nourishment," he says. "If it connects people to God, then I'm willing to try anything. Doors are opening, and I'm going through."

Get a sneak preview of the Mass on Michelle Bearden's "Keeping the Faith" Sunday at 9 a.m. on WFLA-TV. She can be reached at mbearden

IN CONCERT

WHAT: Florida Pro Musica concert, performing Russo's "Missa pro nova aurora" ("Mass for a new dawn") and Brahms' "Zigeunerlieder" ("Gypsy Songs"). Reception with the composer and singers in the parish hall following the concert.

WHEN: 4 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 509 N. Florida Ave., Tampa

TICKETS: $15.

INFORMATION: www.floridapromusica

.com or (813) 258-4226

@tampatrib.com or at (813) 259-7613.