Mass is a musical theatre work composed by Leonard Bernstein with text by Bernstein and additional text and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy, it premiered on September 8, 1971, conducted by Maurice Peress and choreographed by Alvin Ailey. The production used costume designs by Frank Thompson. The performance was part of the opening of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Mass premiered in Europe in 1973, with John Mauceri conducting the Yale Symphony Orchestra in Vienna.
Originally, Bernstein had intended to compose a traditional Mass, but instead decided on a more “innovative” form. The work is based on the Tridentine Mass of the Catholic Church. The liturgical passages are sung mostly in Latin, though the “Sanctus” includes portions in Hebrew. Mass also includes additional texts in English written by Bernstein, Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz, and Paul Simon (who wrote the first quatrain of the trope “Half of the People”). The work is intended to be staged theatrically, but it has also been performed in a standard concert setting.
Tracks
1 I. Devotions Before Mass (Leonard Bernstein)
1. Antiphon: Kyrie Eleison 01:58
2. Hymn And Psalm: “A Simple Song” 04:42
3. Responsory: Alleluia 01:07
2 Ii. First Introit (Rondo) (Leonard Bernstein)
1. Prefatory Prayers 05:14
2. Thrice – Triple Canon: Dominum Vobiscum 00:36
3 Iii. Second Introit (Leonard Bernstein)
1. In Nomine Patris 02:00
2. Prayer For The Congregation (Chorale: “Almighty Father”) 01:30
3. Epiphany 00:54
4 Iv. Confession (Leonard Bernstein)
1. Confiteor 02:22
2. Trope: “I Don’t Know” 01:43
3. Trope: “Easy” 05:43
5 V. Meditation #1 (Leonard Bernstein) 05:09
6 Vi. Gloria (Leonard Bernstein)
1. Gloria Tibi 01:48
2. Gloria In Excelsis 01:14
3. Trope: “Half Of The People” 00:58
4. Trope: “Thank You” 02:45
7 Vii. Meditation #2 (Leonard Bernstein) 03:57
8 Viii. Epistle: “The Word Of The Lord” (Leonard Bernstein) 05:57
9 Ix. Gospel-Sermon: “God Said” (Leonard Bernstein) 04:59
10 X Credo (Leonard Bernstein)
1. Credo In Unum Deum 01:06
2. Trope: “Non Credo” 02:16
3. Trope: “Hurry” 01:20
4. Trope: “World Without End” 01:43
5. Trope: “I Believe In God” 02:10
11 Xi. Meditation #3 (De Profundis, Part 1) (Leonard Bernstein) 02:49
12 Xii. Offertory (De Profundis, Part 2) (Leonard Bernstein) 02:02
13 Xiii. The Lord’s Prayer (Leonard Bernstein)
1. “Our Father…” 01:47
2. Trope: “I Go On” 02:34
14 Xiv. Sanctus (Leonard Bernstein) 05:14
15 Xv. Agnus Dei (Beginning) (Leonard Bernstein) 07:06
16 Xv. Agnus Dei (Conclusion) (Leonard Bernstein)
17 Xvi. Fraction: “Things Get Broken” (Leonard Bernstein) 14:20
18 Xvii. Pax: Communion (“Secret Songs” (Leonard Bernstein) 09:50
Musicians
| Bass | John Beal |
| Bass | Juan Ramirez |
| Double Bass | Joseph Willens |
| Double Bass | Mike Willens |
| Drums | Henry Jaramillo |
| Drums | Herb Harris |
| Drums | Rick Cutler |
| Guitar | James Mitchell |
| Guitar | Scott Kuney |
| Keyboards | Linda Breeden |
| Keyboards | Tom Pierson |
| Bassoon | Donald MacCourt |
| Bassoon | Vince Ellin |
| Flute | Claudia Anderson |
| Flute | Thomas Kay |
| French Horn | Carl Bianchi |
| French Horn | Carolyn Tate |
| French Horn | Samuel Ramsey |
| French Horn | Sharon Moe |
| Oboe | David Busch |
| Oboe | Peter Bowman |
| Trombone | Bill Reichenbach |
| Trombone | John Swallow |
| Trombone | Robert Biddicome |
| Trombone | Stuart Taylor |
| Trombone | Thomas Mitchell |
| Trumpet | Charles Lewis |
| Trumpet | Emerson Head |
| Trumpet | Peter Chapman |
| Trumpet | Rolf Smedvig |
| Tuba | Samuel Pilafian |
| Harp | Faith Carmin |
Other Musicians
1 I. Devotions Before Mass
1. Antiphon: Kyrie Eleison
| Vocals | Betty Allen |
| Vocals | Dominic Cassa |
| Vocals | Karen Altman |
| Vocals | Raymond DeVoll |
2. Hymn And Psalm: “A Simple Song”
3. Responsory: Alleluia
| Vocals | Adrienne Albert |
| Vocals | Charles Magruder |
| Vocals | John Manno |
| Vocals | June Magruder |
| Vocals | Maeretha Stewart |
| Vocals | William Elliot |
3. Epiphany
1. Confiteor
2. Trope: “I Don’t Know”
| Vocals | Carl Hall |
| Vocals | Ronald Young |
3. Trope: “Easy”
| Vocals | Louis St Louis |
| Vocals | Marion Ramsey |
| Vocals | Ed Dixon |
| Vocals | Joy Franz |
5 V. Meditation #1
6 Vi. Gloria
1. Gloria Tibi
4. Trope: “Thank You”
8 Viii. Epistle: “The Word Of The Lord”
9 Ix. Gospel-Sermon: “God Said”
| Vocals | Benjamin Rayson |
| Vocals | Carole Prandis |
| Vocals | John D Anthony |
| Vocals | Judy Gibson |
| Vocals | Ronald Young |
10 X Credo
2. Trope: “Non Credo”
3. Trope: “Hurry”
4. Trope: “World Without End”
| Vocals | Mary Bracken Phillips |
5. Trope: “I Believe In God”
13 Xiii. The Lord’s Prayer
1. “Our Father…”
2. Trope: “I Go On”
17 Xvi. Fraction: “Things Get Broken”
18 Xvii. Pax: Communion (“Secret Songs)”
| Vocals | Barbara Williams |
| Vocals | David Cryer |
| Vocals | Ed Dixon |
| Vocals | John D Anthony |
| Vocals | Jonathan Gram |
| Vocals | Joy Franz |
| Vocals | Margaret Cowie |
| Vocals | Ronald Young |
Choir – The Berkshire Boys Choir, The Norman Scribner Choir
Liner Notes
Producer – Roger L Stevens
Producer (Associate) – Schuyler G. Chapin
Conductor – Leonard Bernstein
Coordinator – Diana Shumlin
Director – Maurice Peress
Design – Ed Lee
Photography – Henry Grossmanm Don Hunstein
Phonographic Copyright CBS
Copyright CBS
Mass is a musical theatre work composed by Leonard Bernstein with text by Bernstein and additional text and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy, it premiered on September 8, 1971, conducted by Maurice Peress and choreographed by Alvin Ailey. The production used costume designs by Frank Thompson. The performance was part of the opening of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Mass premiered in Europe in 1973, with John Mauceri conducting the Yale Symphony Orchestra in Vienna.