"Chichester Psalms" 1965

by Leonard Bernstein
words from the Hebrew Text

Represented here are Parts I and II of Chichester Psalms composed in 
1965 by Leonard Bernstein. It is rather typical of Bernstein's works, a 
mix of classical and theater, jazz and blues. This blend makes
it very difficult to classify Leonard Bernstein. Classical buffs 
thought he belonged in theater, and theater folks were just happy to 
be able to work regardless of the music.

A good example might be "Glitter and be Gay" from his 'Candide'. 
Decidedly operatic in it's form, yet clearly theatrical (read: 
Broadway) in it's execution.

Chichester Psalms was extremely difficult to reproduce and I am sure 
that you will be able to play around with this arrangement for quite 
some time to make changes depending upon your sequencer. Figure that 
there is not enough 'percussion' in the music in many parts.

This piece was scored originally for:

Mixed Choir
Boy Solo
Strings
3 Trumpets
3 Trombones
2 harps
Percussion

It should be noted that it has traditionally been performed with a 
male choir.

Leonard Bernstein was the composer of such famous show pieces as 'West 
Side Story', 'On the Town' and 'Candide'. His classical works are 
represented by the 'Jeremiah Symphony', 'Kaddish' and many piano and 
chamber pieces. Harder to classify (and a good illustration of why he 
*is* so hard to classify) is his massive and complex 'Mass' a piece for 
theater and dancers, marching band and orchestra a piece 
that clearly fits into no particulr genre.

.jmg.