Stabat Mater (Jenkins)

Infobox Album
Name = Stabat Mater
Type = studio
Artist = Karl Jenkins


Released = 10 March 2008
Recorded = 2007
Genre = Classical
Length = 62:02
Label = EMI
Producer = Karl Jenkins
Reviews =
Last album = "Requiem (Jenkins)"

This album = "Stabat Mater (Jenkins)"

Next album =

"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.

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.

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.

Première and recording

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

Track listing

# Cantus Lacrimosus
# Incantation
# Videt Jesum in Tormentis
# Lament
# Sancta Marter
# Now my Life is only Weeping
# And the Mother did Weep
# Virgo Virginum
# Are You Lost Out in Darkness?
# Ave Verum
# Fac, ut Portem Christi Mortem
# Paradisi Gloria

External links

* [http://www.karljenkins2008.com/ Stabat Mater national tour 2008 booking]
* [http://www.karljenkins.com/ Karl Jenkins]
* [http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-life-features/liverpool-arts/2008/03/17/music-review-karl-jenkins-stabat-mater-liverpool-cathedral-64375-20634653 /Local Review of the Première]