Songs of Sanctuary

Adiemus (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 9, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B000000WFU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (108 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,559 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

If you have seen a Delta Airlines television commercial that features an African-sounding, childlike choral chant in its soundtrack, you have experienced the title track from this album. Adiemus is largely the brainchild of former Soft Machine keyboardist Karl Jenkins, with participation from independent vocalist Miriam Stockley, a native of South Africa; the London Philharmonic Orchestra (which Jenkins conducts on this album); and others. The music of Adiemus will prompt inevitable comparisons to acts such as Dead Can Dance, Enigma, and Deep Forest. In the album's liner notes, Jenkins describes Songs of Sanctuary as "an extended choral-type work based on the European classical tradition, but where the vocal sound is more akin to 'ethnic' or 'world' music." The music of Adiemus, Jenkins later explains, includes voices, but not lyrics: "The text was written phonetically with the words viewed as instrumental sound, the idea being to maximise the melisma (an expressive vocal phrase) by removing the distraction, if one can call it that, of words." Ranging in mood from gently tribal to ecclesiastical, Adiemus succeeds in creating the impression of an enchanted global youth or female choir, yet one less forebodingly mysterious than any of the groups previously mentioned. Here you will find textures similar to the ethereal vocalese found in some of Mike Oldfield's more beatific works. The textures are largely uplifting, set within intelligent, classically influenced musical frameworks. A nice package for fans of alternative chant. --Terry Wood

Product Description

Remastered Super Audio (hybrid) CD edition of 1995 album for ethno-classical project of composer/conductor Karl Jenkins (Soft Machine). Nine tracks featuring Miriam Stockley on vocals & The London Philharmonic. Will play on CD & SACD players. Virgin. 2003. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Etheral, soothing music with unique lyrics, July 30, 2004

By 

Albert Cerussi (Lake Forest, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Songs of Sanctuary (Audio CD)

This album is hard to describe because I havent heard anyting like it. Once could describe it as classical music meets "new age". The closest thing that comes to mind would be Enya.

The music in this album is varied. For myself, I really enjoyed the first 5 songs on the album (hard to say which I like best, perhaps Adiemus or In Caelum Fero??). Several of the songs have a variety of sounds where the music style changes quite a bit (start slow, get faster, and so on).

However the most unique feature of this album is that the words are made up (check out the website). That's right ... the words were chosen to flow with the music. The composer loves the sound of the human voice (what a wonderful instrument!) and uses it well in this album. I find the tunes very relaxing, and listen to them if Im trying to concentrrate (since the words are gibberish, I dont try to translate them).

If you are a big Enya fan, perhaps another Adiemus album, "Adiemus IV: The Eternal Knot" is more your speed since it has a distinctive Celtic flair. Overall this is a very enjoyable album if you enjoy classical new age combinations.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Stunner, January 11, 2000

By 

Justin Elswick (Provo Utah) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Songs of Sanctuary (Audio CD)

Well, I've read some of the reviews posted about Karl Jenkins and Adiemus and I agree with most of them. Songs of Sanctuary and Cantata Mundi are BRILLIANT albums. The music recalls Enya (the premiere vocal goddess in my opinion,) but is unique in its own way. Karl knows how to throw in the most surprising chords. Miriam Stockley (who has now released a solo album) is a phenomenal vocalist. The LPO play with passion...I can't think how anyone would find these albums repetetive or boring. Adiemus songs are more varied and stylish than any pop music on the market today (and maybe more so than alot of classical albums.) Those who don't like Adimeus should go back to the ol' Britney Spears' stuff. This is music that is universal and powerful. In fact, I bought two copies of Cantata Mundi in case something ever happens to one of them!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If freedom were music it would sound like this, July 5, 2005

By 

Inspector Gadget "Go Go Gadget Reviews" (On the trail of Doctor Claw) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Songs of Sanctuary (Audio CD)

I'd never heard anything of Adiemus at all until a few weeks ago. And that's weird because I only listen to the classic radio stations. The first time I heard it was on a plane on the way to my first real holiday in 11 years. What an appropriate way to start it by opening my eyes to something as incredible as this.

Adiemus and the Songs of Sanctuary are terrifically energtic and uplifting. The main instrument in the peculiar, stripped down orchestra is the human voice and the incredibly wide range of emotion the mere sound of it can provoke. The lyrics in the Songs of Sanctuary don't mean anything, they are only phonemes, but not in the style of scat-singing, more of a way of delivering a free-roaming range of emotions rather than a specific point. This is helped along by the abundant freedom of movement sequences between keys and unusual time signatures. The Songs of Sanctuary come across as liberated and adventurous and will no doubt inspire you to just go out and keep going and going until you are far away from where you started. If you even stop at all.

Yes, the songs are exciting and will always keep your attention no matter how many times you listen to them. Composer Karl Jenkins calls the Songs of Sanctuary multi-ethnical and he couldn't be more right. They'll take you to anywhere in the world you want to be. And beyond.

I urge you to go out and by this CD.