Adiemus - Songs of Sanctuary

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Free Music Notes for Songs of Sanctuary

Free Music Review: BRIDGING GAPS WITH A COUPLE OF OLD SOFTIES...
Hit: 5 Stars

As Jenkins states in the notes, 'Songs of sancturary is an extended choral-type work based on the European classical tradition, but where the vocal sound is more akin to "ethnic" or "world" music'. He goes on to explain his intentions more thoroughly than I will quote here -- but nowhere in the notes does he claim to be producing a 'new ethnic music', nor make any attempt to write 'new' music in the traditions of any ethnic music.

This is where I think some folks are missing the point of this composition -- the texts sung on this disc, as Jenkins states, were written phonetically, to be sung in a strident voice, 'fortissimo and without vibratto...to sound "tribal"...' The word 'sanctuary' in the title should be a clue, '...a place of refuge. This music is somewhere to escape to', Jenkins points out, again in the notes.

On that level alone, this project would have to be considered a success. Additionally, I would add that I think the ethnic influences and evocations are successful as well, and in a repectful, rather than exploitive way -- there is a soul-deep love of the music of the world at play here. Jenkins and Ratledge (with the able assistance of the London Philharmonic and the incredibly beautiful voice of Miriam Stockley) have delivered a gift to their listeners -- one that entertains and transports us, at the same time honoring the spirit of musical forms that are at the center of our collective spirit, untainted by the demands of a commercial world.

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