© 2024 Louisville Public Media

Public Files:
89.3 WFPL · 90.5 WUOL-FM · 91.9 WFPK

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact info@lpm.org or call 502-814-6500
89.3 WFPL News | 90.5 WUOL Classical 91.9 WFPK Music | KyCIR Investigations
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Stream: News Music Classical

Audio: Teddy Abrams and Jubilant Sykes on Bernstein's Mass

Leonard Bernstein composed Mass for the opening of the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and commissioned by Kennedy's widow, Jacqueline Kennedy. It was controversial at the time, taking the form of a Roman Catholic mass and interweaving new texts from Bernstein, Stephen Schwarz and even Paul Simon. Mass, a gigantic theatrical work, is an amalgamation of musical styles, from rock to blues to atonal. Jubilant Sykes, Grammy-nominated for his recording of Bernstein's Mass with the Baltimore Symphony, is singing the role of Celebrant in the Louisville Orchestra's performance, with Teddy Abrams conducting, this Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm. Both stopped by Classical 90.5 to talk with Daniel Gilliam about this complex and challenging work.

(Related: listen to a panel discussion on Bernstein's Mass, moderated by Daniel Gilliam, with panelists Teddy Abrams, Cantor David Lipp and Father David Sanchez. Presented by the Center for Interfaith Relations and the Louisville Orchestra)
[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/224942062" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]

Daniel Gilliam is Program Director for LPM Classical. Email Daniel at dgilliam@lpm.org.

Can we count on your support?

Louisville Public Media depends on donations from members – generous people like you – for the majority of our funding. You can help make the next story possible with a donation of $10 or $20. We'll put your gift to work providing news and music for our diverse community.