Leonard Bernstein: Mass

Synopsis

Monumental, delirious, transgressive – Mass by Leonard Bernstein is doubtlessly one of the most abundant scores in musical history. On the occasion of the composer’s 100th birthday, Bernstein expert Wayne Marshall, the Orchestre de Paris, its Chorus and Children’s Chorus and the Ensemble Aedes take on this “extravagant, exuberant and endlessly inventive creation” (The New York Times). Oscillating between playful experimentation and musical comedy, between brass band and gospel, the Theatre Piece for Singers, Players, and Dancers creates whirlwinds of grandeur in a post-1968 atmosphere. Bernstein mixes jazz, rock and classical music, combines traditional liturgical elements with Broadway style compositions, and brings on stage electric guitars alongside three choirs and 24 soloists. Commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy, Bernstein’s Mass premiered in September 1971 at the opening of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Bernstein composed the exceptional score at the time of sexual revolution, of the women’s and the environmental movement and the peak of the Vietnam War. In this very tense political situation, Mass caused fierce controversy, because it contained messages of peace and fraternity which were supposed to indirectly proclaim Bernstein’s rejection of the Vietnam War and his antiestablishment attitude. “Arguably the best thing Bernstein ever wrote!” (The Washington Post)

Additional Info

• No: A01050081
• Composer: Leonard Bernstein
• Conductor: Wayne Marshall
• Orchestra: Orchestre de Paris; Choeur de l'Orchestre de Paris; Ensemble Aedes
• Artists: Jubilant Sykes
• Production year: 2018
• Run time: 01:48:00
• Producers: CLC, Orchestre de Paris and Radio France in association with ARTE France in cooperation with UNITEL with the participation of La Cité de la musique – Philharmonie de Paris
• Format: HDTV 16:9