Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pieces that work surprisingly well, November 16, 2005
Let me start by saying that after endless exposure to Karl Jenkins' most famous work (the "A Diamond is Forever" commercial theme), I doubted I'd ever like anything he wrote. I am glad to say I was mistaken.
Jenkins' Requiem is without question a modern work, although its mold is probably a bit closer to that of Britten's War Requiem, or even Herbert Howells' "Hymnus Paradisi", than to other modern Requiems, such as those of Fauré, Duruflé, or Rutter. Jenkins' use of haikus in Japanese--and his intertwining of the haikus with the text near the end--add an extra dimension to the work, even though those movements have a substantially different sound than the rest of the work. Even the "Dies Irae," with its unusual orchestration (I won't spoil the surprise), is a success.
The fact that there are no well-known names here doesn't matter; the orchestral and choral sounds are both excellent. Better still, rather than making this the sole work on the CD, EMI adds "In These Stones Horizons Sing," a work sung partly in Welsh, which rounds out this disc with more marvelous melodies, in particular, the ending of the third track, "Gray". [Please note that the track listing above is incorrect.]
Fans of Jenkins' music will definitely want this disc. I look forward to hearing more of his music myself.
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19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A requiem for th 21st century, August 3, 2005
This requiem is Karl Jenkins in his usual form and is extremely satisfying to the listener who loves the classic 3 requiems of Faure , Durufle and Mozart but is also appreciative of 21st century classical music and Karl Jenkin's sublime yet arresting approach to any composition.He remains the most approachable of the 'modern' composers with one beautiful work after another.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A further expansion of a talented composer, January 31, 2007
I guess you could call me a "number one" fan of Karl Jenkins music. I find his music uplifting and soul-stirring. After a few listenings to Requiem, I quickly found so much to enjoy out of the variety of tracks.
For consumers that are only aware of Diamond Music, Jenkins has composed a whole collection of works, five to be exact, that are under the Adiemus title. You must, I repeat, must expand your collection to include some if not all of these titles, particularly Adiemus I, II & IV. These are such emotionally charged works, fashioned with a chorus of female singers and soloists and full orchestra. Do a quick search and you'll learn more about this themed works. But I digress....
Requiem is unique in that the composer uses a full chorus including male voices and a baritone soloist in the short work, "In These Stones..." This is the first time I'm aware that Jenkins embraces the SATB structure. What an exceptional inclusion to his body of works! I've picked out a few favorites including Introit, Dies Irae, and In Paradisum. However, Pie Jesu shines as a gorgeous heart felt work that effortlessly soars between child soloist, soprano soloist and chorus. Guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes. Finally, the short work that closes this CD, "In These Stones Horizons Sing", calls to mind Ralph Vaughn Williams and a touch of Glass. As a singer in many choruses, I found myself itching to bring this short piece to the attention of various choral directors. It conveys such a powerful quality, visions of Celtic settings arise in my mind. If you are a choral singer, I assure you, you will find something to inspire you. Enjoy Requiem and look into Jenkins other works as well. You won't be sorry.
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by Karl Jenkins 
