Things are getting back to normal in the shire. The kids have started school, traffic has eased up and you can stand on the boardwalk at Main Beach and look at the ocean instead of a sea of browning bodies and Cool Cabanas.
And something else has happened. Noosa Chorale is back, easing on Monday night into its first practice of its 31st year of bringing the world’s best music to Noosa.
Karl Jenkins’ Mass for Peace “The Armed Man” has been chosen for the choir’s first concert in May at The J. It will be the third time since 2012 the choir has performed this masterpiece on the savagery of war and the joy of peace, each time receiving a standing ovation.
At the “meet and greet” social hour before the choir got down to the first rehearsal, choir president Donald Grant told Noosa Today “The Armed Man” had been presented 3000 times since it was composed in 1999.
“This is a world record of performances by a living composer. It was commissioned by the Royal Armouries to mark the millennium and first took place in the year 2000 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, conducted by Karl Jenkins himself and featuring The National Youth Choir of Great Britain with Julian Lloyd Webber as cello soloist.
“Our singers love it. This is no ordinary piece of music. It is an emotional journey, exploring the descent into war, its hellish horror and, finally, the desire for peace. He incorporates Christian, Muslim and Hindu religious texts along with phrases from English and Japanese poets, to create a music which transcends our differences and reminds us of the universality of the wish for peace.”
Donald said some new singers had joined the 60-strong choir and issued an invitation for more members. “We’re a very friendly, social group and we don’t hold auditions.”
Music director Kim Kirkman has never conducted “The Armed Man” and is looking forward to working with the singers.
“I heard it and I was speechless at the end.
“With the conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine ‘The Armed Man” is very relevant with its message of peace and reflection.”
