Bernstein: Mass (Live)

Bernstein’s Mass may be based on the traditional Catholic order of service, but it’s anything but conventional. Its riot of colors, styles, and voices form a vast musical feast showcasing the composer at both his most daring and most intimate. The wildly ambitious score calls for large orchestra, two choruses, children’s choir, marching band, and rock group—and it draws on musical theater, jazz, gospel, and rock. Of all the complete recordings of the Mass, this is a performance of rare virtuosity and chutzpah, topped by Nézet-Seguin’s skill at drawing Bernstein’s disparate worlds together.