Don't miss the opportunity to hear Karl Jenkins' acclaimed composition The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, in Milton Keynes Theatre later this week.
The Danesborough Chorus is joined by Bedford Choral Society to perform this 20th century choral classic. The choirs welcome soloists Eve McGrath (soprano)
and Naeem Mahmood (muezzin). Milton Keynes City Orchestra accompanies the performance and also opens the programme with the glorious Serenade for Strings
by Antonín Dvořák .
“The Armed Man was commissioned by the Royal Armouries Museum for the Millennium celebrations," explains the conductor, Ian Smith. “Using a wide range of
texts, beginning with the 15th century folk song L'homme armé, Jenkins weaves an astonishing anti-war tapestry, from the dark menace of war to the bright hope for peace in a new millennium, interwoven with threads of reflection.”
The texts include extracts from the Catholic Mass, the Islamic call to prayer, Hindu and Japanese sources, the Bible and famous literary works.
The Armed Man is a powerful and universal message to all, describing the descent into, and terrible consequences of, war.
It examines conflict through the ages, including an especially poignant movement that reflects on the aftermath of the bombing of Hiroshima in World War II. The work ends with optimism, declaring ‘Better is peace than evermore war', and a moving, unaccompanied setting of words, beginning 'God shall wipe away all tears', that is taken from the Book of Revelation.
Jenkins' famously accessible music incorporates every mood and style, with military marches, Gregorian chant, dancing tunes, catchy rhythms and a few theatrical
touches. It is especially effective when performed live and a perfect choice in this year that commemorates the centenary of the end of World War I.
Tickets for Sunday's (October 14) show are £20, £17, £15 and £10, with £5 off all prices for under 18s.
Purchase direct through Danesborough Tickets, tel. 01908 583460 or Bedford Choral Society on 01234 781421.
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