Karl Jenkins: Stabat Mater

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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 5099950028320 Label: EMI Manufacturer: EMI Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: EMI Release Date: 2008-03-10 Running Time: 62 Studio: EMI
Related Items Music Of The Spheres This Land of Ours Chant Jenkins: The Armed Man - A Mass For Peace Karl Jenkins - Requiem
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Great Album. Comment: I was slightly dragged to watch this in St David's Hall, Cardiff. I'm not the biggest fan of classical vocals! However I was very pleasantly surprise - the odd bit went on a little too long but for a first listening, pretty good. Bought the CD for my wife as a little present (as you do). This has really grown on me over time. It's a little like how I feel about the music of Pirates of the Caribbean, once I forget about the subject then I can just enjoy the music. A topic of Mary watching her son being murdered on a cross isn't exactly a barrel of laughs or in the words of my daughter it doesn't "float my boat". However this just has just some wonderful music and vocals. It's easy to listen to, I like driving with it and is my favourite piece of music currently. I don't pretend to know that much classical music or what is "in", I just know what connects with me. Essentially this hits the spot. My favourite Karl Jenkins and possibly album of 2008. Customer Rating: Summary: Worth it for the exquisite solos! Comment: As a fan of "The Armed Man', 'Requiem' and 'This Land Of Ours', it's no wonder I listened to the CD prepared to be instantly blown away. However, at first I found it to be less inspired than the previous works, yet was delighted to find Jenkins was coming to my home town to conduct Stabat Mater, which I went to see last night. It's true that the movements with more pace have the signature quirky rhythms we have come to expect from Karl Jenkins; yet the more contemplative movements are profound and poignant, particularly those featuring the amazing Belinda Sykes. Her Arabic singing and playing of the duduk (which I discovered last night is a recorder-sized instrument with a double reed) is nothing short of mesmerising, both on the CD and live. The work is worth purchasing for Sykes' 'Incantation' alone. The beautiful 'Lament' offers a solo of exquisite tenderness to the cor anglais as 'Benedictus' did for the violin in 'The Armed Man.' Coupled with the alto singing of a Mother's grief, it would be difficult to remain unmoved here. As an oboist myself, this is the highlight of Stabat Mater. A wonderful experience. Customer Rating: Summary: Superb! Comment: Some of the previous Reviews seem to imply that this is just Karl Jenkins again (Ho Hum). I wonder if they would say the same about Beethoven "Oh I've heard all nine Symphonies and they are all terribly Beethoven". Well yes and that is their glory as are the works of Karl Jenkins. I have sung both the 'Armed Man' and the 'Requiem' and both moved me beyond measure. I imagine that this will do the same when my Choral Society (inevitably) performs it. Like most Of Jenkins Music the first listening gives the result of "very nice but I am not sure what it's all about'. The second listening gets the juices flowing and by the third listening you are totally hooked. The harmonies of the Ave Verum and the use of Arabic for the Incantation are positively ethereal. Yes there are echoes of the Requiem and the Armed man but this piece is all the better for that. Just stick with it folks and you will see what I mean. Customer Rating: Summary: Buy it - but you won't be surprised Comment: Before you music snobs have a go and tell me that Jenkins is commercial and shallow, I don't expect you to even be reading this review. These notes are for listeners who already appreciate Jenkins and are wondering whether to buy this new album. Stabat Mater builds on and has overtones of the more familiar works. But it isn't a step forward in the same way that The Armed Man was (and in my view, Jenkins will never write a better piece of music). What it certainly does do is deliver some real emotion. The album is based on a poem about how Mary felt as her son was crucified. I'm not religious, but I am a Dad. There are times when you listen to this piece where your thoughts will turn to your own children. Nothing can convey how a mother would feel watching her son tortured, but at times whilst listening to this, you a certainly moved by her lament. Terrific album - you won't be disappointed. Customer Rating: Summary: An easy target Comment: I heard this piece performed live last night, and my response is based both on the CD and that concert. My genuine reponse is probably the most frustrating of all - apathy. If this were exceptionally good or bad, I would be a lot happier. It is neither. This is not classical music in any proper sense. It is easy-listening pseudo-classical music with fairly primitive, unimaginative orchestral writing. The vocal writing appears aimed mainly at amateur choirs. As has been noted elsewhere, by far the most interesting parts of this work are those from texts other than the Stabat Mater. The response to the texts in these parts speaks of a musician genuinely engaged. Unfortunately the remainder speaks of someone who has listened to too many orchestral soundtracks, and believes that is how the western music vocal tradition of the last 400 years should go. I had many images in my mind during this work - mainly hobbits - and not much in the way of a grieving mother, and the many possibilities that would entail. What can i say - this is genuinely easy to listen to, and contains many memorable tunes (not melodies). Well done Karl Jenkins, To everyone else - be clear on what this is, and what this is not. More Reviews