Bernstein's Mass is a monumental 90-minute work, written in 1971 for the opening of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. In this suite commissioned by the Canadian Brass and the Eastman Wind Ensemble, arranger Michael Sweeney focuses on a select number of movements, often using the brass quintet to represent the vocal lines found in the original. The striking and beautiful work includes Alleluia, Sanctus, the well-known A Simple Song, Agnus Dei, Offertory and Almighty Father. Although scored for brass quintet and wind ensemble, ample cues are provided to allow this to be performed by a wind ensemble or symphonic band alone. Dur: c. 14:00 (Grade 5)
Audio recorded by the Canadian Brass and the Eastman Wind Ensemble on Manhattan Music (OD 7368) ? Mark Davis Scatterday, conductor
