Vocal · Mass · 1971
Mass
Leonard Bernstein · For voices, players and dancers
Bernstein's theater piece built on the Latin Mass, mixing choir, rock band, blues and dance in a long, searching work about faith.
What to listen for
Mass follows the order of the Catholic service, but it keeps interrupting itself. A Celebrant, the priest figure, leads the Latin prayers while a boys' choir, a large chorus, a street chorus of ordinary people, dancers and a band answer in English with songs in rock, blues and Broadway styles. The work begins with a quiet tape of voices and builds to a full celebration. Midway the Celebrant's faith is challenged and the crowd turns angry, and the ceremony falls apart in a dramatic scene. The ending is quiet and hopeful, with a gentle song passed around the whole company. Staged productions differ, and the New York Philharmonic is presenting a new staging by Kaneza Schaal.
The story
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis asked Bernstein for a work to open the Kennedy Center in Washington, and it was first performed there in September 1971. It is dedicated to the memory of President Kennedy. Stephen Schwartz helped write the English words with Bernstein. Its mix of styles and its political edge divided critics at first, and it has been revived and re-staged many times since.
First time hearing it?
- It runs close to two hours, so plan for a long evening, possibly with an intermission.
- It is staged, with singers, dancers and a large cast around the orchestra.
- Most of the text is Latin and English, so follow along in the program.
- It is a theater piece, not a church service.
Written by OrchestraFinder, reviewed October 2026.