LEONARD BERNSTEIN (1918-1990)

 

Mass

 

Jubilant Sykes – baritone

 

Peabody Children’s Chorus

Morgan State University Choir

Morgan State University Marching Band

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra / Marin Alsop

 

When Leonard Bernstein was asked by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to compose the inaugural piece for the opening of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D. C., he wrote ‘The Mass is also an extremely dramatic event in itself – it even suggests a theatre work.’

 

Premiered on 8 September 1971, with additional words by Stephen Schwartz of Godspell fame, Mass is a remarkable visionary piece with a kaleidoscope of musical styles that touches on themes of political protest, existential crisis, and religious faith lost and found.

 

Naxos 2cds 8559622-23