Customer Reviews for A Simple Song
Rick
Location: from Southwick, MA
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
December 31, 2011
Not So Simple Song
I had sung this years ago and somehow misplaced my copy, so I needed a replacement. It is one of my favorite solos, and it is the first song in Bernstein's Mass. Though it is called "A Simple Song," it is fairly difficult because it requires one to sing very softly at times, and there are many large intervals that would make it a problem for beginners. I have been a Church Musician for over 40 years in 12 different churches. The Dvorak Biblical Songs have some similarity to this, especially "God is My Shepherd."
7 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Pudelmom
Location: from Lake Worth, FL
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
November 21, 2011
A Simple Song
Mass is such a complex work...and yet A Simple Song is both complex and simple at the same time. Bernstein's work is so rhythmic, especially for his time. People often forget about his symphonies, and focus on his musicals. I'm fortunate to have a recording of the piece as originally done, instead of the tendency to make it operatic. It's a very special song...
9 of 15 people found this review helpful.
Michael
Location: from Chicago
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
July 2, 2008
Simple Song
I have always loved this song. It's one that I have fond memories of from high school. I sang it in competition and have always been able to pull it right back to the foreground when I'm looking for a good song to sing to myself. It really is a simple song...perfectly composed by Bernstein for MASS. Absolutly worth a try, it's has major ear worm potential so be careful! : )
25 of 38 people found this review helpful.
Jennifer
Location: from Cary, NC
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
February 21, 2008
Beautifully lyrical
Very simply elegant and spiritual.
19 of 35 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate/advanced
February 21, 2007
Singing/Playing Bernstein SO Worth the Effort!
Listening to it sung, it seems ..... simple! Looking at the music, it looks ..... simple. But it stretches you, and in the end is deliciously satisfying - SO worth the time and effort.
18 of 39 people found this review helpful.
Kyle
Location: from Fredonia,NY
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
September 4, 2006
Wow, Bernstein Just Gets Tenor II's
An excellent piece for Tenors and Sopranos. It is so easy to listen to, but so hard to perform. This song is my new audition piece no matter where I go. Bernstein is simply a genious.
13 of 28 people found this review helpful.
Julie
Location: from Geneva, IL
Difficulty Level:
Intermediate
August 27, 2002
It is complex in its simplicity
I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it. It is very pure and innocent, both in melody and lyric. The style is simple, but it is a difficult song to perform well. This arrangement is perfect for childrens' choirs, but also works for older singers. It is truly beautiful and will bring tears to the eyes of any music lover.
8 of 24 people found this review helpful.