(Sir) Karl Jenkins, composer of today!

[Lance]

I'm proud to say that I have been exceedingly happy listening to much of Karl Jenkins' music on several labels, Sony, EMI, and Virgin, about 15 or 16 albums altogether, garnered since 1998 to the present. It was his "Diamond" album for Sony Classical that first caught my ears in 1998, music in a true baroque style (think Vivaldi) for the De Beers Diamond Company. A half-Swedish/half-Welsch composer born in 1944, he continues to write interesting and highly-listenable music. His Requiem, Gloria, Stabat Mater, Adiemus albums, sixteen songs with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa (EMI), Palladio, music after Beethoven and Schubert, etc., et al. You might be surprised what he would do with Beethoven. Check out his "Allegrettango" from his Vocalise CD. What a surprise - I think even Beethoven would like it! Same thing with other composers, such as the Kyrie from Ariel Ramirez' Missa Criolla (also with Te Kanawa).

Have we talked about Jenkins much on CMG? Others must have some thoughts on the man and his music. As I was listening tonight to his "Karl Jenkins & Adiemus: The Essential Collection" [EMI 53244] - the Mrs. came to the studio demanding I may a copy of that for her!!! Hmmmm.

[david johnson]

I enjoy the Jenkins I have heard, mainly Requiem and the Diamond music CD (Palladio).

[maestrob]

Sorry to say I've never heard of him! Thanks, Lance. I'll give him a try in coming days.

[diegobueno]

I'm going to interject a piece of music here, another sacred choral work, this one by Domenico Scarlatti

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhtLhMXumzs

Domenico Scarlatti, the composer of all those lively Spanish-tinged harpsichord sonatas with the sometimes funky harmonies, also wrote church music in a style more characteristic of 150 years earlier.

No, it doesn't sound anything like what Karl Jenkins has written, but it does illustrate one point: There is always a need for church music in a conservative style that congregations and the choirs that serve them can appreciate and which doesn't disrupt the meditative atmosphere of the church service. Jenkins, along with John Rutter, have made a career out of supplying this music to British choirs.

[Donald Isler]

An interesting composer. I wrote a review some years ago for New York Concert Review of a program of his music.

[Lance]

Just got one of his older CDs recently, "Vocalise" - with 16 tracks, all with London Philharmonic Orchestra, Jenkins conducting, and with participation of his wife, Jody, piano and co-producer (with her husband) of this Virgin CD [57725] originally issued around 2003. Gorgeous quality of the recording. Singing, chorus, and a wide range of Jenkins' music. It all kind of gets your blood moving at least if you're not moving around much of late. Herein is a range of musicians, most adept, and the Andiemus Singers. Some of Jenkins' transcriptions of composers you will immediately recognize. A very interesting version of "Schwanda the Bagpiper." Jenkins: incredibly talented.