Music : Jenkins: The Armed Man - A Mass For Peace

Rating: - Thematically Beautiful
Someone else wrote that this was B-Movie film music.

Well, if all B-Movie film music was this good, then I say: "Bring 'em on. I prefer a straight fight to all this sneaking around."

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Rating: - Emotional and Thought Provoking
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.

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Rating: - What's all the fuss about?
Mind-numbingly repetitive,gimmicky looney tunes orchestration and with a more limited harmonic language than the average pop song.I can understand the work being popular with some Classic FM listeners as it requires the attention span of an ant. It's link to the present war situation is tenuous if you read the sleeve notes, but I suspect it will be apppropriated by the peace movement as some sort of musical statement.Take the Benedictus out of the work, and Im afraid I found it musically barren. B-movie film music.

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Rating: - The Armed Man
The Armed Man by Karl Jenkins is one of the most interesting modern classical CD's I have heard in a long time.

It is highly atmospheric right from the start and really conjures up the feelings of marching to war as part of an army.

Each track is different but they still connect with each other, each flowing easily towards the next one. Once I start listening to it I find myself getting cross if I am interupted before reaching the end.

The choir is excellent and I understand have received a lot of praise from many professionals in the music industry.

It is so good, I am now buying another copy for my father!!

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Rating: - Bleakly beautiful with gorgeous moments.
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.