Product Description
Text from the Liturgy of the Roman Mass. Additional texts by Stephen Schwartz and Leonard Bernstein. Mass was created for the opening of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., September 8, 1971. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

It must be re-published
1n 1971, Leonard Bernstein christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts with the premiere of his flawed, yet passionate masterwork, Mass: a theatre piece for Singers, Players and Dancers. Mass was born outof the turbulent Sixties and their propensity for questioning religiousauthority. Mass, however, isn't a petulant squabble over sex or patriarchy;it's an investigation of the spiritual quest, and how that quest can bringthe seeker into direct conflict with both his/her religious institutions,neighbors, and even his/her own self. It's part Missa Solemnis, partHamlet, and part orgy. In the score, Bernstein attempted to blend hissymphonic style with sixties psychodelic rock. Neither style was wellserved by such an attempt. Yet among the crossover sludge is some ofBernstein's most profound utterances: the cherubic delights of the GloriaTibi and the Sanctus, the mystery of the choral hymns, and the simple faithof the Celebrant's songs, all unforgettable to most who've heard them.According to the good people at Amazon.com, the vocal score of Mass is nolonger available; the publisher, Boosey and Hawkes, has run out, and,presumably, does not intend to print anymore. Mass, of course, would stillbe available for performance through the publisher, but if no one has heardthe piece, who would want to perform it?Mass is so full of musical gemsthat not having a vocal score available for purchase serves music loversill. Even if the score were exorbitantly expensive, at least libraries,universities, and conservatories could make the music available to itspatrons. The music could then be re-introduced to a generation who, Isuspect, has lost contact with this masterpiece by one of America's mostunderappreciated masters. ... Read more

Product Description
Despite international fame and success, conductor/composer Leonard Bernstein (1918-90) was a man constantly struggling with inner conflicts and public criticism. However, he is still considered one of the most important musical figures of the second half of the 20th century and a major influence on musical life in Europe and America. This book chronicles his extraordinary rise to fame.Amazon.com Review
Leonard Bernstein, the latest in Phaidon Books's 20thCentury Composers series, continues this workmanlike, readablecollection of modern biographies, designed to fit all the essentialsinto fewer than 250 pages each. Author Paul Myers, a former recordproducer for Decca, Columbia, and Naxos, has composed a fond butclear-eyed look at this prodigal talent with the prodigallifestyle. His excesses as well as his triumphs are examined, and hishomosexuality is candidly discussed, but the book never descends tothe tabloid-like depths of some other biographies of the composer ofWest Side Story, Candide, Trouble in Tahiti, andother works, both serious and less than serious. Myers himself seemsto belong to the camp that holds that Bernstein deserved recognitionprimarily as a composer of important works, as opposed to mereentertainments. He is, moreover, perhaps too generous in hisexamination of such things as Mass, which was performed at theopening of the Kennedy Center, and is very much a souvenir of its time(the early 1970s) and place (the world of fashionable liberalism), andhard to listen to today as a result. But he discusses both Bernstein'striumphs as a conductor and composer and his failures in work and lifefairly. This is a good, readable biography, a worthwhile introductionto Bernstein's life, and a good starting place for those who want moredetails. --Sarah Bryan Miller ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Very Good Biography of Bernstein
This well-written bigraphy of Leonard Bernstein provides details about his life that I never knew as well as information about the compositions he wrote.If you like his work as a conductor, pianist and composer, you will enjoy this book.

"Leonard Bernstein" - not just a West Side Story
This brief biography of the life of Leonard Bernstein captivated me.I amvery familiar with the music of Bernstein, but never got to know him theway my parent's generation did.

Bernstein was ever in the forefront ofmusic both popular, and classical. His "Young People's Concerts"made him, and a great deal of classical music, a houshold name.I was tooyoung to enjoy these, however they are now being re-broadcast on cabletelevision for a whole new generation to enjoy.

Although I was captivatedby the music of Bernstein long before I ever read this chronology, Iunderstand the music of Bernstein much better now.It is interesting tolook at this life from several perspectives- Bernstein as conductor,Bernstein as composer, Bernstein as father, Bernstein as husband.Mostinteresting is the fact that Bernstein spent his whole life in search ofcreating the "flagship" compostion that would secure his place inthe books.

Meyers has done a fine job at relaying the"self-illustrated" life of Bernstein.It is an honest book, too,detailing Bernstein's affairs, and tantrums.

Meyers shows us an amazingcomposer, a respected conductor, and a very colorful reflection of 20thcentury America via the life of Leonard Bernstein. ... Read more

Product Description
Vocal score for Bernstein's "Chichester Psalms" ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great resource!
A friend showed me this book after I mentioned to him the problem I was having located good information about women scientists, especially those who had made contributions in the field of geology.This book is a great place to start this research!Written for grades 5 and up, it provides biographical sketches of women who have made contributions in a variety of the sciences.It also includes fairly simple activities that allow students to get a taste of what it's like to work in the particular field of science.A glossary and a short bibliography make this a great resource for the shelf of any science teacher. ... Read more

Product Description
Designed to take students from the elementary to the intermediate level, the "Arena" series is cyclically designed. Once a structure has been presented in a particular functional area, it is revisited again and again, both on its own and in conjunction with other elements. Each unit consists of short activities which are designed to help the students to practise structures in a wide variety of contexts, and moves from a focus on language in context to activities allowing freer expression. Each unit ends with a short game. Grammar is presented systematically, vocabulary is constantly expanded and special attention is paid to writing and speaking skills. Each of the three course levels consists of a student's book, a workbook, a teacher's book and a cassette. ... Read more