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 colours, 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 a large orchestra, two choruses, children’s choir, marching band and a rock group—and it draws on musical theatre, 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.