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Track Listings
| 1. I. The Proclamation: Gloria in excelsis Deo |
| 2. Reading from the Hindu Bhagavad Gita (The Song of the Blessed Lord) |
| 3. II. The Prayer: Laudamus te |
| 4. Reading from the Buddhist Diamond Sutra |
| 5. III. The Psalm: Tehellim - Psalm 150 |
| 6. Reading from the Taoist Tao Te Ching (The Classic of the Way and Virtue) |
| 7. IV. The Song: I'll make music |
| 8. Reading from the Qur'an: 'Al Fatiha' (The Opening) |
| 9. V. The Exaltation: Domine Deus |
| 10. Te Deum laudamus |
| 11. Te ergo quaesumus |
| 12. Aeterna fac |
| 13. Miserere nostri |
| 14. Te Deum laudamus (reprise) |
Product Description
Review
A recent poll by the music journalist Norman Lebrecht named Karl Jenkins as the most performed composer in the world today. Given that this premiere studio recording of Gloria, his brand new choral work, coincides with the Queen awarding him the CBE for Services to Music, Jenkins must currently be walking with a pronounced spring in his step.
Gloria is high on drama, with Jenkins' predilection for the sounds of ethnic and Third World cultures very much in evidence. The third movement in particular, a setting of Psalm 150, brings to mind his ever-popular Adiemus, with its primeval-sounding harmonies, declamatory choral style and pounding drummed rhythms. For some, this is as powerful as classical music gets. For others, it's a bit too reminiscent of Hollywood depictions of chanting natives offering up blushing maidens to King Kong.
There's more to Gloria than primeval pounding though, as the second and fourth movements show with their sustained melodic lines and tranquil tone. Hayley Westenra's fourth movement solo, the serene 'I'll make music', even takes a somewhat incongruous Disney-esque twist towards the end. Quips about blushing maidens and Disney sparkle aside, this is music that engages, whips up and then soothes the listener, and it's a shame that Jenkins didn't just let his music do the talking. Instead, the work's five movements are punctuated by readings in Sanskrit, Chinese and Arabic from the Bhagavad Gita, the Diamond Sutra, the Tao Te Ching, and the Qur'an. Jenkins claims these stand as a counterpoint to the Abrahamic religions, but in reality readings in Sanskrit and Arabic don't work on disc, at least not for a mainly English-speaking audience. They simply break the musical train of thought.
However, the musicians themselves can't be faulted. Accompanied by an LSO on top form, the National Youth Choir of Great Britain produce the deep, strong wall of sound needed in the punchier movements, and luscious creamy richness in the second movement 'Laudamus Te'. Westenra is a perfect casting, her lilting pop-classical voice a sweet contrast to the vocal and instrumental power elsewhere.
This performance and the overall likeability of Gloria will probably keep Jenkins at the top of most-performed polls for some time to come.
--Charlotte Gardner
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CD Description
A recording of Karl Jenkin's new choral work, Gloria, and 2008's Te Deum, performed by Hayley Westenra, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the National Youth Choir of Great Britain.
Gloria is in five movements and takes as its main text the Latin version of the hymn of praise to God from the traditional Christian Mass. Te Deum, sometimes known as the Ambrosian Hymn, is based on an early Christian Latin text praising God, and is an exuberant, joyful piece.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mixed feelings - 4.5 stars would be nearer the mark,
By
This review is from: Gloria / Te Deum (Audio CD)
What makes me buy a new release from Karl Jenkins? Maybe the hope that somehow it won't be more of the same. Well, this time it was partly more of the same and partly something different. Gloria. In many ways more of the same. This is the work I like the least. It is a patchwork of styles with strange texts between the movements. I understand what Jenkins wants to do, but I am not sure that he achieved his goal. The patchwork of styles is the most irritating thing about the Gloria. Part IV "The Song - I'll make music" sounds like a piece of music from a musical with the sickly forced voice to go with it. Ugh. Jenkins' music usually has many ad nauseam bits. It is also true of the Gloria. The 5th movement "The Exaltation - Domine Deus" has a whopping 86 bar Amen section broken by an instrumental intermezzo from bar 161 to bar 168. What makes it even worse is the molto rall for the last 6 bars. It just prolongs the agony. Movement 3 (Psalm 150) is the usual Jenkins attempt to be ethnic. Interesting. I've heard better and more coherent Gloria's.
Now to the Te Deum. This is the work that really appeals to me. It is compact and contains very little ad nauseam repetition. The first movement takes consists of 232 of the total of 477 bars. The third part, Aeterna Fac is rhythmically very interesting. Add to that the beefy harmonies and you have music to climb into and enjoy. The use of triplets heightens the contrast between the recurring quaver en semiquaver rhythm in the bass. The last part (Te Deum reprise) differs from the opening part in the use of semiquaver scales in the violins. They are certainly not misplaced. The last 20 bars consist of te te en te deum repeated and repeated. But just short enough not to be annoying. The Te Deum is a delightful piece which is quite moving. So why did I give it 5 stars? 3 for the Te Deum and 2 (1.5) for the Gloria. The Te Deum could be used outside the concert hall. The Gloria certainly not. For the fans, a valuable addition to the library. For others, a good introduction to the music of Karl Jenkins: like many composers, he re-uses themes. Tip: try listening to the Gloria without the texts.
16 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Glorious Gloria but not Hayley,
By
This review is from: Gloria / Te Deum (Audio CD)
Absolutely fabulous piece of music (Gloria) by Karl Jenkins. And I'm not biased by having been part of the 'Really Big Chorus' premiere last sunday at the Albert Hall! But having sung it, I do know it quite well now. Really glorious music, even though some parts are borrowed from Karl's other pieces. I rather like the idea of re-usable music.
Gloria is a piece of great contrasts. From the rousing Proclamation, through the lilting Prayer to the beautiful 'Song'(I predict this will become a popular solo) to the climax of the Exaltation. There are actually 530+ Amens in this! (You should try singing them). I didn't like the readings (pretentious?) My only critism is the choice of solist. Why oh why did they pick Hayley Westenra? I know a lot of people like her, but she is just so unsuitable for singing this. We were fortunate to have a wonderful Baritone singing at the Albert Hall called Sam who brought a depth of voice that Hayley just can't do. So listen, enjoy and try to imagine someone else singing the 'Prayer'. The Te Deum is fabulous too! PS. Our version of Gloria is also out on EMI at Sandbag.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Karl Jenkins Gloria and Te Deum,
By
This review is from: Gloria / Te Deum (Audio CD)
This is a very good CD. The choir are excellent and Haley Westenra's solo is superb. It would have been spoiled by having an opera singer as Hayley just sings from the heart - brilliant!
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