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Bernstein: Mass / Sykes, Alsop, Baltimore Symphony
Naxos

Bernstein: Mass / Sykes, Alsop, Baltimore Symphony

$29.99 Only 2 left

Details

Composer
BERNSTEIN, LEONARD
Artist
Sykes, Alsop
Format
CD
Label
Naxos
Released
Aug 25, 2009
Catalog #
8559622-23
UPC
636943962220

About

Leonard Bernstein's own version bettered? Yes, indeed! This is, handily, the best sung, best played, most intelligently interpreted recording of Mass currently available. Of course, Bernstein's rendition always will have sterling qualities, including some wonderful solo singers with really characterful "pop" and Broadway voices, but for its sheer musical integrity combined with the advantage of the composer's final revisions to the score, this version is unbeatable. Jubilant Sykes, as the Celebrant, easily outclasses Alan Titus' very fine premiere recording of the role. His voice has more edge; he's more at ease with the various pop idioms; he sounds radiant at the work's opening and grows increasingly desperate as it proceeds. This only serves to make his climactic breakdown tragically believable.

The various street singers are, one and all, terrific. "God Said" becomes the work's comic climax, which is as it should be. "I believe in God", "Confession", "World Without End", and "Thank You" are both idiomatic and beautifully sung. The children's choir sounds luminous in the Sanctus, while the adult chorus, from Morgan State University, sings with gusto as well as immaculate diction, with every word clearly comprehensible. Marin Alsop knits the whole ensemble together with infallible insight and verve. Her tempos, a bit different from Bernstein's, quicker here ("God Said"), a touch slower there (the wild dance in the Offertory), are no less right.

It's all fabulously recorded with a glittering impact that never turns unduly aggressive. The multi-textural layering in the climactic Dona Nobis Pacem comes across as both musically and physically overwhelming. Mass has its detractors, but when performed with this kind of conviction the piece can be inexpressibly moving. Alsop never has made a finer recording--it's both a tribute to her mentor Leonard Bernstein, as well as to her exceptional talent as an exponent of his music.

--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com (10/10)

Tracklist 32 tracks

  1. Disc 1
  2. 1 Devotions before Mass: Antiphon: Kyrie eleison (High Soprano, Bass, Soprano 2, Alto, Tenor, Baritone) 02:01
    Track
    1
    Title
    Devotions before Mass: Antiphon: Kyrie eleison (High Soprano, Bass, Soprano 2, Alto, Tenor, Baritone)
    Duration
    02:01
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Ensemble
    Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  3. 2 Devotions before Mass: Hymn and Psalm, "A Simple Song" (Celebrant) 04:11
    Track
    2
    Title
    Devotions before Mass: Hymn and Psalm, "A Simple Song" (Celebrant)
    Duration
    04:11
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Performer
    Jubilant Sykes
    Ensemble
    Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  4. 3 Devotions before Mass: Responsory, "Alleluia" (Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass) 01:09
    Track
    3
    Title
    Devotions before Mass: Responsory, "Alleluia" (Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass)
    Duration
    01:09
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Ensemble
    Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  5. 4 First Introit: Prefatory Prayers (Street Chorus, Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Soprano, Celebrant, Boy Soprano, Boys' Choir) 05:00
    Track
    4
    Title
    First Introit: Prefatory Prayers (Street Chorus, Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Soprano, Celebrant, Boy Soprano, Boys' Choir)
    Duration
    05:00
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Performer
    Jubilant Sykes, Asher Edward Wulfman
    Ensemble
    Morgan State University Choir, Peabody Children's Chorus, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  6. 5 First Introit: Thrice-Triple Canon: Dominus vobiscum (Celebrant, Boys' Choir, Street Chorus) 00:42
    Track
    5
    Title
    First Introit: Thrice-Triple Canon: Dominus vobiscum (Celebrant, Boys' Choir, Street Chorus)
    Duration
    00:42
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Performer
    Jubilant Sykes
    Ensemble
    Peabody Children's Chorus, Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  7. 6 Second Introit: In nomine Patris (Boys' Choir, Chorus, Celebrant) 01:58
    Track
    6
    Title
    Second Introit: In nomine Patris (Boys' Choir, Chorus, Celebrant)
    Duration
    01:58
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Performer
    Jubilant Sykes
    Ensemble
    Peabody Children's Chorus, Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  8. 7 Second Introit: Prayer for the Congregation, "Almighty Father" (Chorus) 01:22
    Track
    7
    Title
    Second Introit: Prayer for the Congregation, "Almighty Father" (Chorus)
    Duration
    01:22
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Ensemble
    Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  9. 8 Second Introit: Epiphany (Celebrant) 00:55
    Track
    8
    Title
    Second Introit: Epiphany (Celebrant)
    Duration
    00:55
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Performer
    Jubilant Sykes
    Ensemble
    Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  10. 9 Confession: Confiteor (Chorus) 02:10
    Track
    9
    Title
    Confession: Confiteor (Chorus)
    Duration
    02:10
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Ensemble
    Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  11. 10 Confession: Trope, "I Don't Know" (First Rock Singer and Descant, Second Rock Singer, Male Street Chorus) 01:41
    Track
    10
    Title
    Confession: Trope, "I Don't Know" (First Rock Singer and Descant, Second Rock Singer, Male Street Chorus)
    Duration
    01:41
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Ensemble
    Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  12. 11 Confession: Trope, "Easy" (First Blues Singer, Second Rock Singer, Second Blues Singer, Third Rock Singer, Third Blues Singer, First Rock Singer and Descant, Celebrant, Chorus) 04:51
    Track
    11
    Title
    Confession: Trope, "Easy" (First Blues Singer, Second Rock Singer, Second Blues Singer, Third Rock Singer, Third Blues Singer, First Rock Singer and Descant, Celebrant, Chorus)
    Duration
    04:51
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Performer
    Jubilant Sykes
    Ensemble
    Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  13. 12 Meditation No. 1 05:10
    Track
    12
    Title
    Meditation No. 1
    Duration
    05:10
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Ensemble
    Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  14. 13 Gloria: Gloria tibi (Celebrant, Boys' Choir) 01:55
    Track
    13
    Title
    Gloria: Gloria tibi (Celebrant, Boys' Choir)
    Duration
    01:55
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Performer
    Jubilant Sykes
    Ensemble
    Peabody Children's Chorus, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  15. 14 Gloria: Gloria in Excelsis (Chorus) 01:16
    Track
    14
    Title
    Gloria: Gloria in Excelsis (Chorus)
    Duration
    01:16
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Ensemble
    Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  16. 15 Gloria: Trope, "Half of the People" (Street Chorus, Chorus) 01:00
    Track
    15
    Title
    Gloria: Trope, "Half of the People" (Street Chorus, Chorus)
    Duration
    01:00
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Ensemble
    Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  17. 16 Gloria: Trope, "Thank You" (Soprano, Street Chorus) 02:46
    Track
    16
    Title
    Gloria: Trope, "Thank You" (Soprano, Street Chorus)
    Duration
    02:46
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Ensemble
    Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  18. 17 Meditation No. 2 03:39
    Track
    17
    Title
    Meditation No. 2
    Duration
    03:39
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Ensemble
    Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  19. 18 Epistle: "The Word of the Lord" (Celebrant, A Young Man, Another Young Man, Street Chorus, An Older Man, A Young Woman) 05:50
    Track
    18
    Title
    Epistle: "The Word of the Lord" (Celebrant, A Young Man, Another Young Man, Street Chorus, An Older Man, A Young Woman)
    Duration
    05:50
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Performer
    Jubilant Sykes
    Ensemble
    Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  20. 19 Gospel-Sermon: "God Said" (Preacher, Street Chorus, 5 Solo Voices) 04:22
    Track
    19
    Title
    Gospel-Sermon: "God Said" (Preacher, Street Chorus, 5 Solo Voices)
    Duration
    04:22
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Ensemble
    Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  21. 20 Credo: Credo in unum Deum (Celebrant, Chorus) 01:08
    Track
    20
    Title
    Credo: Credo in unum Deum (Celebrant, Chorus)
    Duration
    01:08
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Performer
    Jubilant Sykes
    Ensemble
    Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  22. 21 Credo: Trope: "Non Credo" (Street Chorus Male Group, Baritone) - "Crucifixus" (Chorus) 02:17
    Track
    21
    Title
    Credo: Trope: "Non Credo" (Street Chorus Male Group, Baritone) - "Crucifixus" (Chorus)
    Duration
    02:17
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Ensemble
    Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  23. 22 Credo: Trope, "Hurry" (Mezzo-soprano) - Sedet ad dexteram Patris (Chorus) 01:20
    Track
    22
    Title
    Credo: Trope, "Hurry" (Mezzo-soprano) - Sedet ad dexteram Patris (Chorus)
    Duration
    01:20
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Ensemble
    Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  24. 23 Credo: Trope, "World without End" (Street Chorus, Mezzo-soprano) - Et in Spiritum Sanctum (Chorus, 3 Solo Voices) 01:39
    Track
    23
    Title
    Credo: Trope, "World without End" (Street Chorus, Mezzo-soprano) - Et in Spiritum Sanctum (Chorus, 3 Solo Voices)
    Duration
    01:39
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Ensemble
    Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  25. 24 Credo: Trope, "I Believe in God" (3 Solo Voices, Street Chorus, Rock Singer, Chorus) 02:07
    Track
    24
    Title
    Credo: Trope, "I Believe in God" (3 Solo Voices, Street Chorus, Rock Singer, Chorus)
    Duration
    02:07
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Ensemble
    Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  26. 25 Meditation No. 3 (De profundis, Part 1) (Chorus, Celebrant) 02:31
    Track
    25
    Title
    Meditation No. 3 (De profundis, Part 1) (Chorus, Celebrant)
    Duration
    02:31
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Performer
    Jubilant Sykes
    Ensemble
    Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  27. 26 Offertory (De profundis, Part 2) (Boys' Choir, Chorus) 02:13
    Track
    26
    Title
    Offertory (De profundis, Part 2) (Boys' Choir, Chorus)
    Duration
    02:13
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Ensemble
    Peabody Children's Chorus, Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  28. Disc 2
  29. 1 The Lord's Prayer: Our Father … (Celebrant) 01:18
    Track
    1
    Title
    The Lord's Prayer: Our Father … (Celebrant)
    Duration
    01:18
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Performer
    Jubilant Sykes
    Ensemble
    Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  30. 2 The Lord's Prayer: Trope, "I Go On" (Celebrant) 02:25
    Track
    2
    Title
    The Lord's Prayer: Trope, "I Go On" (Celebrant)
    Duration
    02:25
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Performer
    Jubilant Sykes
    Ensemble
    Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  31. 3 Sanctus (Celebrant, Boys' Choir, Chorus, Counter-tenors, Street Chorus) 05:10
    Track
    3
    Title
    Sanctus (Celebrant, Boys' Choir, Chorus, Counter-tenors, Street Chorus)
    Duration
    05:10
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Performer
    Jubilant Sykes
    Ensemble
    Peabody Children's Chorus, Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  32. 4 Agnus Dei (Soloists of Street Chorus, Street Chorus, Celebrant, Chorus) 06:30
    Track
    4
    Title
    Agnus Dei (Soloists of Street Chorus, Street Chorus, Celebrant, Chorus)
    Duration
    06:30
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Ensemble
    Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  33. 5 Fraction: "Things Get Broken" (Celebrant) 14:22
    Track
    5
    Title
    Fraction: "Things Get Broken" (Celebrant)
    Duration
    14:22
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Performer
    Jubilant Sykes
    Ensemble
    Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  34. 6 Pax: Communion, "Secret Songs" (Boy Soprano, Bass, Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Tenor 1, Tenor 2, Street Chorus, Celebrant, Chorus) 09:06
    Track
    6
    Title
    Pax: Communion, "Secret Songs" (Boy Soprano, Bass, Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Tenor 1, Tenor 2, Street Chorus, Celebrant, Chorus)
    Duration
    09:06
    Composer
    Leonard Bernstein
    Performer
    Jubilant Sykes, Asher Edward Wulfman
    Ensemble
    Morgan State University Choir, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop