Stabat Mater (Jenkins)

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Stabat Mater
Stabat Mater cover
Studio album by Karl Jenkins
Released 10th March 2008
Recorded 2007
Genre Classical
Length 62:02
Label EMI
Producer Karl Jenkins
Karl Jenkins chronology
Requiem_(Jenkins)
 Stabat Mater (Jenkins)

Stabat Mater is a 2008 piece by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins, and is based on the 13th Century Roman Catholic prayer Stabat Mater. Like much of Jenkins' earlier work, the piece incorporates both traditional Western music (orchestra and choir) with ethnic instruments and vocals - this time focusing on the Middle East. The recording features the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic orchestra and chorus, along with Lithuanian mezzo-soprano Jurgita Adamonyte and English musician Belinda Sykes, the latter of whom provides both vocals and performance of Eastern instrument the Duduk.

Contents

[edit] Background to the Piece

Written in the 13th Century, the poem's title Stabat Mater is actually an abbreviation of the first line, 'Stabat Mater dolorosa', which translates as 'The Sorrowful Mother was Standing'. The poem reflects on the suffering of Mary, mother of Jesus, during the time of the crucifixion. Written in Latin, the piece has been set to music by several prominent composers, including Vivaldi, Rossini, and Verdi, and has been performed across the world.

[edit] Jenkins' Adaptation

Jenkins' work extends across twelve movements, six of which lie outside the original poem. They include a choral arrangement of the Ave verum Jenkins originally wrote for Bryn Terfel; a piece entitled And The Mother Did Weep which comprises a single line sung simultaneously in English, Latin, Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew; Lament, written by Jenkins' wife Carol Barratt; and Incantation, which is partly sung in early Arabic by Belinda Sykes.

Stabat Mater focuses on the suffering of Mary, but unlike earlier adaptations of the text, Jenkins incorporates the language of the period, with lines sung in Aramaic and early Arabic. The addition of Armenian instrument the Duduk (or Mey) heightens the Eastern atmosphere, and its deep double-reeded sound adds a richer, more resonant dimension to the work than can perhaps be achieved using Orchestra alone. Alongside the Duduk, Jenkins features percussion from the Middle East, such as the darabuca, def, doholla, and riq.

Although it was not mentioned in the CD notes or concert programme, the first movement is actually an extended variation of a piece from his Adiemus, Cantus-Song of Tears, using the same format (with soft introduction preceding the main melody) and harmonisation.

[edit] Première and Recording

The piece received its world premier in Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on Saturday 15th March, 2008 and featured the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra, Jurgita Adamonyté, Belinda Sykes, and was conduced by Jenkins himself. The piece was recorded with the same personnel, and was released by EMI on Monday 10th March, 2008.

[edit] Track Listing

  1. Cantus Lacrimosus
  2. Incantation
  3. Videt Jesum in Tormentis
  4. Lament
  5. Sancta Marter
  6. Now my Life is only Weeping
  7. And the Mother did Weep
  8. Virgo Virginum
  9. Are You Lost Out in Darkness?
  10. Ave Verum
  11. Fac, ut Portem Christi Mortem
  12. Paradisi Gloria

[edit] External Links