Few people had comparable charisma to him, few like him could blur the borders between 'serious' classical music and 'entertaining' popular music and few apart from him could find access to people of all generations like Bernstein. Living together and love instead of antagonism and hatred permeate his entire life's work in words and notes. Many of the attributes mentioned apply to MASS, premiered in 1971. For the understanding of this unusual work, it is crucial to note that it is not really seen as a mass composition, but in keeping with Bernstein's intentions as 'a theatrical piece with the title 'MASS'. So, it is perhaps the most audacious interpretation of the liturgical contents up to then and since then. The responses to the premiere were thoroughly ambivalent, as, apart from enthusiasm, there was also rejection on the part of conservative minded circles. And the clearly conveyed message of peace was partly rejected since it could be understood not least as an unmistakable indictment of the Vietnam War still in progress.

Tracklist:

Mass: No 1, Antiphon. Kyrie Eleison
Mass: No. 2, Hymn & Psalm "A Simple Song"
Mass: No. 3, Rensory. Alleluia
Mass: No. 4, Prefatory Prayers
Mass: No. 5, Thrice-Triple Canon. Domionus Vobiscum
Mass: No. 6, In Nomine Patris
Mass: No. 7, Prayer For The Congregation "Almighty Father"
Mass: No. 8, Epiphany
Mass: No. 9, Confiteor
Mass: No. 10, Trope "I Don’t Know"
Mass: No. 11, Trope "Easy"
Mass: No. 12, Meditation I
Mass: No. 13, Gloria Tibi
Mass: No. 14, Gloria In Excelsis Deo
Mass: No. 15, Trope "Half Of The People"
Mass: No. 16, Trope "Thank You"
Mass: No. 17, Meditation II
Mass: No. 18, Epistle "The Word Of The Lord"
Mass: No. 19, Gospel-Sermon "God Said"
Mass: No. 20, Credo
Mass: No. 21, Trope "Non Credo"
Mass: No. 22, Trope "Hurry"
Mass: No. 23, Trope "World"
Mass: No. 24, Trope "I Believe In God"
Mass: No. 25, De Profundis, Pt. 1 (Meditation III)
Mass: No. 26, De Profundis, Pt. 2 (Offertory)
Mass: No. 27, The Lord’s Prayer "Our Father"
Mass: No. 28, Trope "I Go On"
Mass: No. 29, Sanctus
Mass: No. 30, Agnus Dei
Mass: No. 31, Fraction "Things Get Broken"
Mass: No. 32, Pax Communion "Secret Songs"

UPC: 845221053707
Label: Capriccio
Release Date: 3.6.20
Format: CD

Bernstein / Wiener Singakademie - Mass (2 CD)