Bernstein's Chichester Psalms

[Johnnytoc]

Posted: 5/15/06 at 8:17pm

After turning pages for a choral concert a few weeks ago when I heard the Chichester Psalms, I finally bought a recording and can't stop listening to it!
Anyone else a fan of this amazing piece?

[dramaqueen3]

Posted: 5/15/06 at 8:30pm

I was blessed enough to sing it last year with my choir. It is one of the most amazing and beautiful pieces I've ever heard. The second movement's my favorite.

[Johnnytoc]

Posted: 5/15/06 at 8:45pm

Yeah, mine as well. I didn't know what to expect and the sudden change of the piece is so cool.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 5/15/06 at 8:46pm

I just performed it on Friday evening, in Carnegie Hall.

It's a glorious piece of music. Joy, celebration, prayer. Sublime.

[mint0621]

Posted: 5/15/06 at 8:51pm

The NYCB did the ballet version of it and performed it during the winter season...beautiful! I believe Peter Martins choreographed it.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/15/06 at 8:55pm

The Psalms are a simple and modest affair,
Tonal and tuneful and somewhat square,
Certain to sicken a stout John Cager
With its tonics and triads in E flat major.

--Leonard Bernstein, writing in the New York Times

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 5/15/06 at 9:04pm

I have Psalm 23, 2nd movement from Chichester Psalms in my "Leonard Bernstein for Clarinet" book. It's beautiful, especially when the tempo slows down dramatically to 54.

I don't know any composer who utilizes accidentals so well--either to create the fast-paced tension, or just creating the most beautiful sounds you ever heard.

Bernstein calling something he wrote simple--should be an oxymoron.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/15/06 at 9:08pm

Wicked--the thread below has my Leonard Bernstein stories, which I've also told in the first MBCotD thread.
BLT III - clip from 1980 WEST SIDE STORY Revival

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 5/15/06 at 9:31pm

PJ, naturally I replied to page 2 of that thread But thanks for posting the link, the stories were as amazing to read this time as they were the first time!

I...just...Bernstein...gah. He's easily my answer for who would I like to have dinner with, alive or dead. I wonder if I could guess the snags the orchestra hit--the Rumble...Cool...dance at the gym maybe?

You know I've played for 2 productions of WSS, but in both the schierzo was cut I learned and played the music...(I actually have the entire reed 2 book of the score memorized). I understand it's long, but the music is so beautiful! I'm sad to never have played it for the show.

But I too am curious how any professional production of WSS could be referred to as "dull"? I mean, I've heard this revival was unmemorable, but...between the music and choreography...WSS being dull seems like more of an oxymoron than a Bernstein piece being simple. What are your thoughts on this, PJ?

(and feel free to share more stories--I can never hear enough about this genius man)

Ooh, and what are your thoughts on the first quote in my signature?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/15/06 at 10:40pm

The scherzo was CUT!?!? Nooooooooo!!! How COULD they?!?

The scherzo is one of the most exquisite pieces of music he wrote!

I love your quote--it's Arthur cutting right through to the truth of the matter. He may have hated Jerry Robbins, he may have fallen out with Sondheim, he may be a complete sh*t to everyone else in his life, but he adored and respected "Lenny" until the day Lenny died.

What Arthur leaves unsaid is that the one element to the WSS legacy that will pale as time goes by...is Arthur's own book. The Jet dialogue ( "Womb to tomb!" "Sperm to worm!" "I and Velma ain't dumb!") simply doesn't live up to the brilliance of Sondheim's words, Bernstein's music and Robbins's visionary storytelling.

Updated On: 5/15/06 at 10:40 PM

[The Grovers Corners Yenta]

Posted: 5/15/06 at 11:18pm

I simply adore the Chichester Psalms and had the honor of singing them with The National Jewish Chorale and Orchestra at Carnegie Hall many years ago. Now, I am taking a class at my synagogue called " A Psalm A Week". My Rabbi often refers or plays segments of this wonderful Bernstein piece.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 5/15/06 at 11:19pm

I really can be treading down a path I'd rather not

BUT...

I totally agree that the book pales to the choreography or the score. And maybe the lyrics are better, I don't know.

HOWEVER

IMO, Sondheim's lyrics can't be in the same category with Bernstein's score and Robbins' choreography. I mean, the lyrics weren't bad or anything, but the latter 2 elements make WSS the amazing, revolutionary show it is/was. I always say perhaps the most spectactular aspect of that show is...if you just watched the show and heard the instrumental music...without any words, dialogue or lyrics...you would totally follow the story. Robbins and Bernstein created an authorship to their contributions to WSS; Sondheim didn't.

Well, they were different high school productions...they justified the cut by saying they couldn't have a 15 minute ballet going on. The second time I played it, when I interned for a summer theatre high school musical festival(first time was my senior year in HS) they cut everything surrounding Somewhere except the song. It was awful; the girl randomly walked on and started singing. At least in HS we cut around it...sang the introduction and played about half of the transition to scherzo and played maybe 7/12 of the nightmare. They didn't even do the nightmare in the 2nd production! It killed me! (Not to mention Tony was awful and Maria was tone-deaf)

You didnt' answer my question regarding the revival and how some can consider it "dull"--the show I can never see as dull, but did they do something THAT bad to it?

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 5/16/06 at 12:27am

Updated On: 1/23/09 at 12:27 AM

[sabrelady]

Posted: 5/16/06 at 8:47am

I saw the NYCB production and while the dance was fine, the choir on stage was a bit awkward tho almost like a set plus it reduced the dance area, I would have set them further back or eveb in split groups, The music was a glory tho!