Bernstein Mass

I've been on a Bernstein Mass kick. I rented the DVD of it that was recorded at the Vatican in 2000. The staging was interesting to see, but felt like some of the bite of the original album had been toned down. (I saw some comments on either Netflix or Amazon about censorship. At the Vatican? Image that.) The orchestra for that DVD was truly mediocre. However, I did notice some text changes, but more on that later.

So I went back to listen to the original 1971 production. Overall it is so superior. Some days I think "If only the modern text was not so dated" with the "groovy" feel of the 60s. Other days I think that it is the time that it was written.  Still, to hear Alan Titus sing Simple Song is worth it.

It turns out that I have another recording: the Marin Alsop recording of 2009 with Jubilant Sykes as the Celebrant. This seems to have the all the text changes and the orchestra sounds much better. Although, the technical quality of the recording doesn't sound right. The original 1971 recording has a real lush sound to it. It seems missing here. (I'm sure that some would say that is the difference between the analog and digital recording technique, but to be honest I've never bought that theory.)

What I love about the piece itself is that it presents a conflict with the celebrant. "The celebrant, in a furious rage, hurls the sacred bread, housed in an ornate cross-like monstrance, and the chalice of wine, smashing them on the floor. At this sacrilege the other cast members collapse to the ground as if dead while the Celebrant sings a solo..." (Wikipedia) (BTW--this act of sacrilege is what is missing from the Vatican version.) It also asks the question about what makes the celebrant (the priest) different from anyone else (the laity.) Given the behavior of the Catholic leadership in that not too distant past (regarding the sex abuse scandal), I find this to be a timely and valid question.

Psalm 139

A premiere of a new piece brings a combination of reflection, excitement, and (if I'm being honest with myself) nerves.  Adding to that I'm also singing as part of the choir in the premiere today.  There is always that part of the private rehearsal process for me when I look at my own music with anxiety and think "Why on Earth did I write it that way?"  But, with age you learn that that is part of "The Process."  You also learn to trust that there was a reason you wrote it that way at the time.  And finally, you learn to wait to hear the performance and then decide if that was an idea you might want to explore again or not.

Psalm 139 speaks of the wickedness within each of us and also of our enemies.  In these divisive times I felt these words had something to say to us now.  This psalm is considered one of the Imprecatory Psalms.  As Wikipedia states, they "invoke judgment, calamity, or curses, upon one's enemies or those perceived as the enemies of God."  When I began setting this piece I actually stayed away from that part of the psalm, focusing instead on the line "Thou hast knit me together in my mother's womb."  But the line "If Thou but would slay the wicked, O God" kept reasserting itself in my thoughts.

As a nation we are dealing with times where many people speak of enemies--of them versus us.  Part of what I love about the Psalms is that they are written from King David's point of view--not God's.  King David sins. He does horrible things. He rails against his enemies. Yet, he continues to try to walk with God.

For the past few years I have been singing with and composing for the Minnesota Compline Choir. They are a wonderful group of singers. I would like to thank the choir, its director, Adam Reinwald, and Pilgrim Lutheran Church's director of music, Paul Stever, for their continued encouragement and the premiere of this work.

Compline for a New Millennium this Sunday, October 15, at 6:51 pm.

Psalm 139, adapted by Chris Gennaula.

Biblical Sources:
King James Version,
Jewish Publication Society, 1917
Douay-Rheims

SOLOIST:
If Thou but would slay the wicked, O God.

ANTIPHON:
Prove me, O God, and know my heart: 
And see if there be any wicked way in me.

VERSE:
Thou hast knit me together in my mother's womb. 
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: 
Marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!  

SOLOIST:
If Thou but would slay the wicked, O God.

ANTIPHON:
Prove me, O God, and know my heart: 
And see if there be any wicked way in me.

VERSE:
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; 
Too high, I cannot attain unto it. 
If I take the wings of the morning,  
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 

SOLOIST:
If Thou but would slay the wicked, O God.

ANTIPHON:
Prove me, O God, and know my heart: 
And see if there be any wicked way in me.

VERSE:
Even there shall thy hand lead me,  
And Thy right hand would hold me.  
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; 
even the night shall be light about me. 

ANTIPHON:
Prove me, O God, and know my heart: 
And see if there be any wicked way in me.