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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
Karl Jenkins' The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace is a departure from his Adiemus recordings into the more conventional territory of large-scale choral and orchestral writing, though his customary passion for mixing languages remains in full force with texts in English, Latin and French. Jenkins has said that The Armed Man was inspired by the "L'Homme armé" masses which were popular in the 16th century, and he makes this debt clear with passages written in a neat pastiche of Palestrina-style renaissance polyphony. There are also echoes of earlier and later styles, including plainchant, medieval ballads, James Barry-style horn writing (think Goldfinger) and even a direct quote from Rigoletto (the choir imitates wind sounds at one point as in Act 3 of Verdi's opera). The smorgasbord manages to hold together, probably because Jenkins' obvious sincerity shines through every note. The London Philharmonic Orchestra plays beautifully, and treble Tristan Hambleton performs his solo with ethereal clarity. The National Youth Choir sings with vigour and accuracy, even if the young sopranos sound a little thin at the top of their range. If you liked the soundtrack to The Mission, this should press all the right buttons. --Warwick Thompson
Product Description
CD W/National Youth Choir Great Britain
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
81 of 84 people found the following review helpful
By B. M. Rockey
Format:Audio CD
On hearing the beautiful and peaceful Benedictus on the radio I had to find a recording on CD for a more intimate listening. I was not disappointed by the emotional and thought provoking mass for peace - 'The Armed Man'. An incredible recipe of ancient and modern styles of music, composed skilfully by Karl Jenkins. And what a variety of texture from the Moslem Call to Prayers, to the stirring Sanctus; from the peaceful opening strings of Benedictus to the dramatic film-like sounds of Hymn Before Action. We are reminded of the futility of war during the playing of the Last Post in Charge! This is a powerful CD, and must be added to your collection.
120 of 127 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Full of extraodinary swirls and stabs of orchestral music and beautiful, melodic choirs. This CD takes you on a joruney from the start of war(The Armed Man, with trudging, marching feet, drums and fifes and the poignant - given the current situation - Call To Prayers which is simply the unearthly solo voice of a meuzzin singing the Islamic call to prayer in Arabic), through to sadness and fear at start of battle(Kyrie, Save Me From Bloody Men), heroism and passion(Sanctus, the extraordinary and stirring Hymn Before Action, wonderful words by Rudyard Kipling) and of course, tumbles down into the real tragedy and pain of war(Angry Flames and Torches) and ends with the bitter sorrow of Agnus Dei and Now The Guns Have Stopped. The final, serene and lovely Benedictus(the one track I had heard and fallen in love with before buying the CD which contains the sweetest and most haunting cello I've ever heard) and Better is Peace(medieval, dancey and joyous), is a fitting end. Not for those who are easily depressed, but well worth it for the emotional journey and the beautiful voices.
87 of 93 people found the following review helpful
By Mr J Remynse
Format:Audio CD
I first became aware of the sound as I was driving to work. Slow, beautiful and reminiscent of... Of what? I did not know. I had missed the introduction. But I knew there and then I had to have it. As the music reached a crescendo, I knew I was listening to something special and fervently hoped the announcer would tell me what it was. She obliged: I had been listening to the National Youth Choir performing the Benedictus from Karl Jenkins' The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace. I ordered it that evening and less than 48 hours later I was able to listen to the entire CD.
From the first track to the last, I was struck by the quality of the recording and the pure sound of the voices: young people creating a sound that many of their elders in better known choirs might aspire to.
As an Australian in the UK, I heard this just days after the Bali bomb explosion in which many of my young countrymen and women died, so this CD immediately took on a meaning and life of its own. I listened to it for hours on the day it arrived - and imagine it will continue to move me to tears for many years to come.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic !
This has to be the most powerful and emotional collection of music that I have come across, I love it and play it all the time as the choir that I belong to are singing it this... Read more
Published 16 hours ago by Angela Purdy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heard this for the first time in an aerobics class!
You would never have guessed this but I first heard it in the warmijng down session of my local aerobics class. So I had to ask the teacher what it was and by whom. It is sublime. Read more
Published 22 hours ago by C. E. Gruffydd
5.0 out of 5 stars
Moving and spiritual
This was new to me so when I heard a choir at my local church sing a piece from the album I was moved by the beauty of it.
Published 1 day ago by I. Inglis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Musice
Love it! Exciting to sing - enjoy listening to over and over! Well worth the purchase and a real pleasure to listen to again and again.
Published 1 month ago by CS
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
Have wanted this for some time. At the price paid I am more than satisfied. My best buy so far this year.
Published 1 month ago by Stuart Hill
1.0 out of 5 stars
MP3 Product refused to download
Amazon very efficient in billing, but it would not download the product onto my computer, I tried some of the tips - e.g. allow cookies, loaded MP3 downloader but with no avail. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Dr. Robin L. Davey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magical!
Have waited too long in obtaining this work by the Welsh master, should have been much more active in pursuing it. Just love it!
Published 2 months ago by James Willis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Moving, chilling, inspiring
Some of the movements in this work reduce me to tears, no matter how often I hear it. The poem about HIroshima, where the animals are described as ending their lives as living... Read more
Published 2 months ago by justvisitin'
5.0 out of 5 stars
a fantastic recording
this is one to turn up loud when you listen to it. full of different types of music, very stirring and emotional.
Published 3 months ago by jane
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very moving
I purchased this item having listened to two of the tracks during a church service. The tracks in question are the Agnus Dei and the Benedictus and they are the highlights of the... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Dr Hugh McCredie
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