Bernstein: Mass - CD

Dona nobis pacem – Peace and Love!

Woodstock, Nixon and the Vietnam War were undoubtedly underlying influences on the increasingly oppressive dramaturgy of this incredible ‘Theatre Piece' composed in memory of J. F. Kennedy. ‘What's a Jewish boy like you doing writing a Mass?', Bernstein was asked at the premiere in September 1971. Perhaps the answer lies with the ‘Celebrant', the central figure in this work originally performed by 200 singers, instrumentalists and dancers, a piece at the crossroads between religions – and at the stylistic crossroads between classical, jazz, folk, blues, and rock – which today is still as relevant as ever.This title was released for the first time in 2004.

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 theater work’.

Premièred 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.

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‘He was a great individual, totally unafraid to take risks and largely misunderstood because people didn’t see his universality,’ Kristjan Jarvi on Leonard Bernstein.

One of his most controversial compositions, Bernstein’s Mass was written at the request of Jacqueline Kennedy Onnassis for the opening of the John F.Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC and received its gala premiere at the venue’s opening on 8 September 1971. Bernstein declared that his intention in writing the piece had been ‘to communicate as directly and universally as I can a reaffirmation of faith.’ Recalling Britten’s War Requiem in its use of Catholic liturgical text interrupted with commentary, the work caused a storm of controversy particularly with its exploration of the concerns of the era – Nixon and Vietnam. Unlike Britten, however, as with many of his compositions, Bernstein brought together an embarrassment of riches of musical styles both classical and popular music at the start of the 1970s. The New York Times notes, ‘Bernstein left nothing of himself out of Mass, and like the man who wrote it, the piece demands to be noticed… beneath the original dramatic conception, the creative exuberance, the showbiz glitter and the ear-catching set numbers is a sophisticated, carefully controlled piece of musical craftsmanship that repays close scrutiny… an extravagant, exuberant and endlessly inventive creation…’ Mass is now recognised as one of the central works of Twentieth Century American music, and its political and cultural importance as well as amazing music extends its relevance to today.

The Times wrote of a recent performance by Kristjan Jarvi and the Tonkunstler Orchestra. ‘The conductor Kristjan Jarvi is bringing a bracing blast of Bernstein.’ Der Standard noted ‘… There has not been this much drama for a long time... conductor Kristjan Jarvi, together with his his Absolute Ensemble New York, the Tonkunstler Orchestra, Chorus sine nomine, Company of music and the Tolzer Boys’ Choir, presents the theme of modern man’s crisis of faith…’ ‘Kristjan Jarvi proves himself a perfect strategist with a real feeling for Bernstein’s tonal dramatisation. He creates a monumental theatre of sound …’ Kronen Zeitung.

Leading Baritone Randall Scarlata takes the role of the celebrant, a role he has performed on many occasions. He is especially recognised for his performances of American repertoire. The Boston Globe recently commented, ‘A triumph – this baritone has in his keeping the vocal wherewithal to do just about anything he wants.’