This remastered reissue of the watershed recording of MASS by Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990), celebrates the 50th anniversary of its 1971 world premiere presentation. Commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy for the opening of the Kennedy Center, this religious/stage work with its eclectic mix of classical, jazz, musical, Jewish and rock music elements, as well as a mix of Latin liturgical text from the Roman Catholic Mass and original English text, created quite a stir and a barrage of mixed reactions from the public and critics alike back then, and I'm sure it may have the same effect today on the uninitiated.

When this recording was originally released I was a teenager, a church organist well familiar with the Latin Mass settings, and already an avid collector of both classical and rock music recordings, so needless to say that when I heard of its release I rushed (using public transit) to my favorite downtown record shop and immediately purchased a copy (on vinyl of course). I couldn't wait to get home and slap it on my turntable, so imagine my dismay and consternation upon hearing the highly dissonant and harsh opening Kyrie eleison. I thought that Leonard Bernstein had completely gone "round the bend" modern on us. But as soon as I heard the following A Simple Song it became instantly clear that the cacophonous opening was meant to represent the world's multitude of voices clamouring for God's attention and redemption. And by the time I got to the a cappella chorale Almighty Father and the strictly orchestral Meditation No. 1 (audio excerpt below) I began to realize that Bernstein had created a masterwork full of profound ideas, emotions and concepts meant to shake our faith, as well as our musical ear. And by the time you've reached the end, and the introspective Almighty Father returns, this time with full choir, you can't help but feel like you've gone through a "religious" experience.

Yes, some of the songs may seem a bit over the top and would probably feel more at home when witnessed 'live' in their original theatrical setting, but overall this is a highly cohesive work by a multifaceted American composer just as proficient with musicals (West Side Story, On The Town), opera (Candide), jazz (Prelude, Fugue & Riffs) or classical (Symphony No. 2 "The Age of Anxiety"). This remastered 2-disc edition includes a 140-page booklet, a libretto, previously unreleased photos and many new liner notes. If you passed on this recording the first time around, don't miss your proverbial second chance. With all that is happening in today's crazy, hostile and secular world, the impulse behind the creation of this unique work and its effect, are even more powerful today than they were 50 years ago.