Noosa Chorale music director Kim Kirkman has been a professional musician for 20 years and admits he was at a loss for words after hearing for the first time The Armed Man–A Mass for Peace.
And now that he has had the chance to work with the choir for its two performances at the end of this month, he has even more admiration for Welsh composer Sir Karl Jenkins’ powerful work on the savagery of war and the joy of peace.
“The music is strikingly honest and present. There are no frills. It has an authenticity and impact which very much speaks to the theme of the piece.”
The Chorale has twice previously (in 2012 and 2015) presented this powerful and evocative work for Noosa audiences and the impact of the music then and the accompanying film with its graphic images of battle, the resultant ravages and the overwhelming feeling of relief and celebration when peace finally comes produced a standing ovation each time.
The film is the revised version and updated version from the historic Concert for Peace at the Mercedes-Benz Arena Berlin to commemorate 100 years from the end of the First World War on November 18, 2018, with Sir Karl Jenkins conducting. He now says it has become an essential backdrop as it adds an extra dimension to the music.
Kim said: “We have four singers from the choir taking the duties of soloists for the Armed Man and we will have an orchestra of 16 players
“The first half will start with a plainsong from the Gregorian chant period. We will be singing the Agnus Dei which includes a line about ‘grant us peace’. We shall follow with the Albinoni Adagio, a stunningly beautiful string orchestra work and then the choir will present Allegri’s Miserere which is a baroque period piece that was kept under lock and key for performances in the Sistine Chapel only. That was until a precocious young Mozart wrote it out from hearing it once!
“Then we move to a very special Jewish piece called Kol Nidrei which is scored for string orchestra and cello solo. One of the choir’s basses, Kevin Bratby, will play the cello part. –
“We finish the first half with Barber’s Adagio for Strings with a twist. The choir will also take part. The music has been set to the words of the Angus Dei that we performed at the very beginning of this half. This piece is incredibly moving.
“I believe all these pieces are some of Western music’s most haunting and beautiful. A great way to prepare the audience members for an incredible second half with The Armed Man.”
Noosa Chorale “The Armed Man—A Mass for Peace” at the J, Friday May 30 at 7pm, Saturday May 31 at 2pm. Tickets $45. Book now at www.the j.com.au or phone 5329 6560.
