Re: bernstein

[Eliezer Kaplan <zelwel...>]

I'm only mentioning this since the discussion has turned in this direction:
I heard the Mass when it came out- when I was around Bar Mitzvah age. It was a 
piece of music that, literally, changed my life- an absolute mind-opener.
And it succeeded so fabulously as a fusion of the rock and classical genres 
that (IMO) almost any other piece that falls in that direction (notable 
exception: William Russo's) seems silly by comparison. 
                ek
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Kfarcenter (at) aol(dot)com 
  To: World music from a Jewish slant 
  Sent: Sunday, March 02, 2003 2:14 PM
  Subject: bernstein


  Lenny was quite committed to Jewish values and life (in spite of his own 
actions).  He taught his children Talmud and Torah.  Mass was an indictment of 
centralized, organized religion and its frequent ability to be perverted.  His 
in one piece, "And It Was Good":

  God made us the boss
  God gave us the cross
  We turned it into the sword 
  To spread the word of the lord
  We took his holy decrees
  To do whatever we please-
  and it was good!

  Contrasted with the personal and beautiful "Simple Song"
  which truly is a Jewish tune in the midst of a mass

  "Blessed is the man who loves the Lord
  Blessed is the man who praise him, luada laude.
  For the lord is my shade, is the shade upon my right hand.
  And he sun shall not smite me by day, nor the moon at night..."

  Does this psalm sound familar?

  I always sensed that his utopian yearnings were also a product of his Jewish 
experiences, a notion of finding HaOlam Haba here on earth.  If you scan the 
themes as they progress throughout his composition career, what begins as a 
simple vision of perfection of the world progresses to an understanding that 
this world must be lived in as best as possible, with all its faults.  Scan the 
differences between the hope of  Somewhere (West Side) and Make our Garden Grow 
(Cadide) and even I Don't Understand (5 Childrens Songs).   Makes for 
interesting consideration.



  Regards,

  Adam Davis, Director
  Kfar Jewish Arts Center
  773.550.1543

  Kfar Jewish Arts Center is an inclusive arts incubator that serves to 
stimulate, promote and produce the next generation of Jewish expression.  
Hebrew for village, Kfar is an artistic community of local actors, musicians 
and artists.  Visit our Kfar at  www.kfarcenter.com.