Jacqueline Kennedy commissioned Leonard Bernstein to compose this massive work for the inauguration of the Kennedy Centre in New York. It premiered on 8 September 1971. Bernstein decided to write an innovative Mass and what came out is, say, a Catholic Mass getting out of hand.

The Mass is seen through the eyes of a Jewish composer with an extraordinary palette of musical styles at his disposal, the work draws on influences from religious to popular and broadway musical genres.

Requiring two orchestras, rock band, marching band, multiple choirs and musical singers, for obvious reasons, the monumental work is rarely performed and even rarer on disc.

Born out of the political and social turmoil of the 60s, its main character experiences a roller-coaster of emotions and questioning of faith. On a wide variety of levels, this work is as relevant today as it was at its inception. Nixon, then President, refused to attend the premiere after an FBI warning for fear it could contain anti-war/anti-government sentiments.

Unified under his baton, Yannick Nézet-Séguin forges a powerfully emotional interpretation of this unique work – a cross-section of European and American Music.

“Mass embraces all of the various Bernsteins we know.

“All this music can live together in the same way that our world with all of our different cultures is still learning … that we are all on the same planet and in the end are all responsible for carrying a global legacy that is true love between all human beings. Mass touches me so deeply because of this message.”

“Bernstein’s most ecstatic, charismatic and sanctified music.” – Gramophone