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Mass

Music by Leonard Berstein
Musical Director - Maurice Peress
Directed by Gordon Davidson
Choreography by Alvin Ailey
Settings by Oliver Smith
Choreography by Alvin Ailey
Costumes by Frank Thompson
Lighting by Gilbert Hemsley, Jr.
Produced by Roger L. Stevens
Associate Producer Schulyer G. Chapin

MASS was created for the Opening of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., September 8, 1971.

Synopsis

Song List

I. DEVOTIONS BEFORE MASS

1. Antiphon: Kyrie Eleison
2. Hymn and Psalm: "A Simple Song"
3. Responsory: Alleluia

II. FIRST INTROIT (Rondo)

1. Prefatory Prayers
2. Thrice-Triple Canon: Dominus Vobiscum

III. SECOND INTROIT

1. In nomine Patris
2. Prayer for the Congregation
(Choral: "Almighty Father")
3. Epiphany

IV. CONFESSION

1. Confiteor
2. Trope: "I Don't Know"
3. Trope: "Easy"

V. MEDITATION NO. 1 (orchestra)

VI. GLORIA

1. Gloria Tibi
2. Gloria in Excelsis
3. Trope: "Half of the People"
4. Trope: "Thank You"

VII. MEDITATION NO. 2 (orchestra)

VIII. EPISTLE: "The Word of the Lord"

IX. GOSPEL-SERMON: "God Said"

X. CREDO

1. Credo in unum Deum
2. Trope: Non Credo
3. Trope: "Hurry"
4. Trope: "World Without End"
5. Trope: "I Believe in God"

XI. MEDITATION NO. 3 (De Profundis, part 1)

XII. OFFERTORY (De Profundis, part 2)

XIII. THE LORD'S PRAYER

1. Our Father...
2. Trope: "I Go On"

XIV. SANCTUS

XV. AGNUS DEI

XVI. FRACTION: "Things Get Broken"

XVII. PAX: COMMUNION ("Secret Songs")

Mass is "a theater piece for singers, players, and dancers," said Bernstein. The piece was dedicated to the slain, President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Bernstein used the Catholic mass as a framework and added in Hasidic rhythms, song, modern dance music and moves, and much more. The principal singer was Alan Titus and the principal dancer was Judith Jaminson. Mass was not conducted by Bernstein but by Maurice Peress. The Mass was composed in 1971 while Bernstein was in Europe on tour. After Bernstein left the Philharmonic in 1969, he traveled and toured Europe, (not being committed to staying in New York.)

The Mass was a huge production. The piece called for over 200 people to perform. Many people asked Bernstein, "Why did you write a piece about the Catholic mass? Your Jewish!" He replied, "We have to educate ourselves...about other religions." When the Mass was first performed, many disliked it. However, soon people began to appreciate the piece more and enjoyed it thoroughly. The Mass was described as "a bizarre, seemingly blasphemous theater piece. "It appeared, more than anything else, to be a loud gesture designed to outrage Nixionian Washington. " Bernstein called the Mass the piece that was perhaps the closest to his heart.

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