Bernstein’s Mass was commissioned for the opening of Washington’s Kennedy Center in 1971. Dubbed “a theatre piece for singers, players and dancers” it takes the structure of the Catholic Mass and interpolates a number of “tropes” that often make trenchant commentary on the traditional text. Only Bernstein could have melded into a single work such diverse elements as rock, musical theatre, jazz, grand opera and high-end orchestral music. Such a mix attracted the ire of (in)famous critic, Harold Schonberg who wrote that Mass was “a combination of superficiality and pretentiousness, and the greatest mélange of styles since the ladies’ magazine recipe for steak fried in peanut butter and marshmallow sauce.” These days, Mass, with its electric guitars, may be considered a period piece, but one that confirms its composer as courageous and creative.

This live recording documents the Philadelphia Orchestra’s staging in...