A big fat h/t to The Concord Pastor, who posted this on his blog today. This remains one of my favorite pieces of music. In fact, one of the sopranos in our parish choir was going to sing it at my Mass of Thanksgiving, but she had to leave town for a family wedding that weekend. This is part psalm, part hymn, part mission statement. (If memory serves, in “Mass,” it’s sung by the Celebrant as he is vesting for the liturgy.)
It’s beautiful. And, yes, simple.
“God loves all simple things, for God is the simplest of all…”
Enjoy a musical interlude, from Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass.” Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz.
posted July 26, 2010 at 10:32 pm
I’m sorry- but as a Music Director of Sacred Music this is not really allowed at the Sacred Liturgy- especially with lyrics like “MAKE IT UP AS YOU GO ALONG” Also, the documents of the council have specific directives as to what type of music is appropriate. It is borderline acceptable.
posted July 27, 2010 at 1:06 am
I too love Simple Song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFtEdx6j3x4&feature=related
The Gloria Tibi from Bernstein’s Mass is another great favorite of mine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdCYPh36TTg
I wouldn’t want any of it sung in the Holy Mass but I love to sing it in my living room or my car.
posted July 27, 2010 at 1:40 am
P.S. Here’s a nice site for background on each of the parts of Bernstein’s Mass.
http://www.carnegiehall.org/bernstein/mass/mass_listening_tour.html
Like many pieces from the 60s/70s it’s clearly dated. Still, I’d like to see it performed one day. Unlikely since it requires such a massive number of performers to mount it.