The origin of the piece lies in the incidental chorus music that Bernstein composed for an adaption of the play by Jean Anouilh called The Lark, directed by Lillian Hellman in 1955. The play’s plot covers the events surrounding Joan of Arc and her trial. This led Bernstein to compose the chorus music to sound very Medieval to early Renaissance in quality and texture to suit the atmosphere provided by the play itself.

Date of composition 1988
Type Missa
Approx. duration 12 minutes
Instruments Chorus/Choir - Mixed Chorus ;
Voice (Countertenor)
Percussion
Autotranslations beta Leonard Bernstein: Missa Brevis
Leonard Bernstein: Missa Brevis
Leonard Bernstein: Missa Brevis