A Simple Song - Leonard Bernstein

"A Simple Song" from Leonard Bernstein's MASS.

I DO NOT hold the copyright for this work. Copyrights held by their respective owners.

Live at the Kennedy Center, October 1981.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Leonard
• Bernstein
• Mass
• Simple
• Song

[tommytimp]

Who is the Celebrant? Fantastic voice.

[strizeap]

@tommytimp Joseph Kolinski, I believe.

[Ellie49]

Oh, wonderful. I woke up this morning thinking of this for some reason.

And, yes, I was there for that revival in '81. It was one of the most moving experiences of my life. There were tears streaming down my face at the very end.

Thank you for the upload.

[strizeap]

@Ellie49 You're welcome! I tried to upload some from the end of the Mass, but I couldn't get them to work - I could only do about the first half or so.

What was the show like in '81? I saw it live 2-3 years ago at the Minnesota Orchestra. It was mostly staged, but not as much as the original or the '81 revival (more like the 2000 Jubilee performance that's on DVD).

It's such a beautiful song, isn't it?

[MigsMusic]

This reminds me very much of the Kennedy Center revival I saw in 1982. The voice of the Celebrant, the touching of hands, even the shape of the stage. If this is that version please post more. If it's not, still, please post more of this amazing performance. The Mass is one of Bernstein's most misunderstood masterpieces. The more that people can hear this inspiring music, especially in a professional performance, the more they will fall in love with it. Thank you so much for sharing.

[strizeap]

@MigsMusic @alicelindenmaier This is from the 10th anniversary production at the Kennedy Center in 1981, as aired on PBS. I don't remember much more about the production right now, but I'll try to add some more clips in the near future (after the semester ends) and update the information in this video. Thanks for the comments!

[freakylittlegnome]

Powerful!!!!!!!!!! Long live Leonard!

[MigsMusic]

@strizeap My three biggest memories,from the KC revival. 1 The lights going down at the begining, silent dancers on the stage hitting buttons on tape recorders. And suddenly the Kyrie being blasted from all sides. 2 The Celebrant being presented the Bible from under the stage with blinding lighting effects. And 3 the entire set broken apart at the end of the Agnus Dei. My hope for the future is that large works like this will be presented again. And that new beautiful 'big' music will be heard.

[Ellie49]

Oh, hi. strizeap.

It was simply amazing. You know, I already had the recording (on vinyl, of course - back in the day!) but that really didn't prepare me for the live experience. I think it was Bernstein himself who called it a "theater piece" because it brought several art forms together - music, acting, dance, the visual sets, etc. Being there live was truly being immersed in it all.

Simply brilliant.

And, I agree with MigsMusic here. It was/is a most misunderstood masterpiece.

[MigsMusic]

Thank you for these memories. I would love to see again Confiteor/I Don't Know with the violinist singing. And especially the Agnus Dei/Fraction. But what ever you can post will be so welcome when you get the chance. Good luck on your final exams!