The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace

Karl Jenkins's 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 that 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, John 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 the Verdi opera). The smorgasbord manages to hold together, probably because Jenkins's 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 vigor 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 Amazon.com

Great piece, good performance, short-changed recording

The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace is a work which everyone who longs for peace will want to hear. Karl Jenkins uses a remarkable combination of text and music from major world religions to depict how religious fervor has compelled mankind to devastations of war in the name of defending his home, his religion and even his God. The stark descriptions of the death, destruction and grief resulting from war then drive us to an earnest longing for peace. Finally, Jenkins shows how our religious zeal offers hope for peace and, by the grace and power of God, a means for achieving real peace.
This performance, under the baton of the composer is well done, though the pronunciation of the British youth choir might sound suspect to our American ears.
However, several of the CDs we received were lacking part of the last movement. September 29, 2008

Poignantly beautiful and stunningly emotional

I received this CD as a gift from a friend in the UK. He was spot on as to the musical intregrity of this mass. I was moved by the beauty and power of Jenkin's 21st century lyrical move from the Muslim call to prayer, to the amassing of troops, to the battle, and then the end of the fighting. This is a must hear as it is thought provoking: one moves through the emotion and sentiments of war via the music. Honestly, Agnes Dei brought images of Angels coming to claim the souls of those who lost the valient fight. The beauty of Benedictus moved me to tears! August 30, 2008

The Armed Man

Militaristic themes announce the Armed Man, followed by a Muslim call to Prayer. The Mass itself provides a "Kyrie," "Sanctus," "Agnus Dei," and "Benedictus" all of which are wonderful contributions to choral music. The work ends in a lovely a capella at the conclusion of "Better is Peace."
The overall quality of the recording is crisp and the words are clear. I had difficulty understanding one word "bloody" in "Save Me from Bloody Men" on the first pass. The words are printed in the cover of the the CD which made it clear.
August 28, 2008

Amazing and wonderful!

I sang this music in a concert-and couldn't stop singing it .

It is powerful and beautiful- and the message comes through loud and clear.
This CD is in my car most of the time where I can sing along -
and hear the stirring drums and marching feet-what an experience! June 13, 2008

A wonderful listening experience

I purchased this CD because my choir was performing the piece. Having heard the CD I was overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of it. It is a very powerful piece and has been very well recorded. Some of the pronounciation in Track 1 is not the way the french speakers in our choir taught us, but apart from that, it is very well performed. June 1, 2008

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