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Bernstein: Symphony no.3 'Kaddish' Also includes Chichester Psalms

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Does Bernstein's Kaddish belong in the synogogue, the concert hall or on the Broadway stage? Bernstein would have all three as proper venues for his music.

This symphony is an ambitious work. It deals with the struggle between God and Man, Life and Death, tonality and atonality. It aspires to profundity, yet gives way in the end to cliche.

The work is in three sections, seven movements. The second movement, the Din Torah, is the highlight of the symphony. The Speaker berates God for abandoning His contract with man, then supplicates himself before the omnipotent. This movement is composed serially, representing the elemental conflict between the mortal and immortal. Here is all powerful music, devoid of adornment, worthy of Beethoven. It is great art. . . .

The Chichester Psalms were commissioned in 1965. Bernstein conceived of a "Psalms Suite" with text in Hebrew. He characterized it "as popular in feeling" with "old fashioned sweetness as well as violent moments." This is emminently singable music for chorus and orchestra .

"I think the Psalms are like an infantile version of Kaddish", Bernstein said after the premiere in 1965. He allowed that the "Psalms were simple, direct..almost sentimental." The Chichester songs are Bernstein's most frequently sung choral work, having a direct appeal to audiences. The Psalms are well served by the Liverpool forces. This performance almost rivals the composer's; the recording is superior.

Kaddish and Chichester are exciting, provocative, theatrical music . . . The CD is well recommended.
Artistic Quality 10 / Sound Quality 10

Ronald Legum
Audiophile Audition