Karl Jenkins - The Armed Man - A Mass For Peace (DVD)

Advantages: Moving, elegaic choral selection
Disadvantages: None that I can think of

...Beautiful choral CD, with a haunting mix of recognisable songs/hymns, literary references and huge choruses. Opens to an almost alien chanting and wastes no time in switching seamlessly between languages and styles, from Latin to English and French. Jenkins provides an offering that is almost as polarised as war itself, shifting from peaceful strains to the warlike and fiery. The overall effect is that of tension - the listener is on edge and the respite provided by beautiful tracks such as 'Agnus Dei' is never quite enough to take away the anger and horror conveyed in tracks such as 'Save me from Bloody Men' and 'Angry Flames'. The album shows the uncertainty and fear caused by war well and at points descends into an almost savage chant as affecting as any war movie or news report. We are left with the message that while conflict... Read review

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Advantages: A good, basic classical piece to have in the repertoire!
Disadvantages: Some tracks very technical, not easy listening

...blossoms into a defiant and spine chilling praise for life. This is my favorite piece. The words are beautiful and full of praise, and Hayley Westernra did an alternative which is just as moving. Big and powerful, will make you cry! Better is peace A cheery arrangement, using the major key of a previously minor ostinato of "The Armed Man" piece. Using the words of Tennyson to provoke thoughts of a happier day. My Musical Opinion Well composed with some very technical and symbolic moments. If you are familiar with any of the popular pieces like Sanctus, Agnus Dei and Benedictus it is worth the investment to hear the rest of the suite. Some parts make excellent dinner music, others are a bit violent! Music lover? If you are a Jenkins fan or a musician buy it! Its great and you will appreciate all the little extras. If not... Read review

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Advantages: An excellent piece of very original music
Disadvantages: Some parts let the work down a little

...The first I heard of Jenkins was a good few years back following the release of his enormously successful album: 'Adiemus'. He's also written the very popular piece for strings called Palladio (made famous by the Diamond ads). One of his more recent offerings (although not that recent!) is the collection of choral works entitled 'The Armed Man: A Mass For Piece". Any Classic FM listener will be well aware of some of these pieces (notably the Sanctus, Agnus Dei and Benedictus) because they are *always* being played. However, I was curious to see what else the CD had to offer, and so when I received a ten quid Smiths gift voucher I decided to go for it. The CD comes in a stylish looking black case with a bright white bird, wings spread wide across the cover, superimposed above a decidedly sinister looking, dark seafront. And that image... Read review

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