| Product: |
The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace - Karl Jenkins |
| Date: |
04/01/09 (59 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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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 is real and terrifying, the tranquility of a peaceful future is always the option that we should strive towards.
Please look for this in your local record stores, as it's a few years old and can often be found on sale. The small price that you'll pay is well worth it! I'm not a fan of choral music, but have to say that I have been won over entirely.
Summary: Beautiful mass with a real message
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Last comments:
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- 06/01/09 I know what you mean, but it''s a very moving piece and is worth a listen (try the HMV sale). If you think he's repetitive, you may wish to skip track 1 as it sounds very familiar... |
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- 04/01/09 I like Karl Jenkins, but sometimes find his pieces a bit repetitive. I'm quite tempted by this though... |
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