Hayley features on 10th Anniversary Edition of Karl Jenkins' "The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace"

 KARL JENKINS CBE CELEBRATES 10TH ANIVERSARY OF BEST-SELLING CHORAL WORK THE ARMED MAN: A MASS FOR PEACE

EMI CLASSICS RELEASES SPECIAL EDITION ALBUM FEATURING BRAND NEW PIECE FOR THE FALLEN WHICH RECEIVES ITS WORLD PREMIERE PERFORMANCE AT THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE

THE VOICES OF BERNARD CRIBBINS AND HAYLEY WESTENRA FEATURE ON NEW PIECE FOR THE FALLEN

Catalogue number: 217 2962
UK release date: 25 October 2010

Karl Jenkins, who was awarded a CBE earlier this year, is widely recognised as the world’s most popular living composer following a recent poll by renowned cultural commentator Norman Lebrecht. The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace is his most performed work, having been performed 900 times since its world premiere at London’s Royal Albert Hall in April 2000. Commissioned jointly by The Royal Armouries and Classic FM, it was initially inspired by the Kosovan conflict, but the clear message of hope this work brings to so many resounds even stronger ten years later. The piece regularly sits high in the Classic FM ‘Hall of Fame’ voted for by listeners, this year coming in at #15, making Karl Jenkins the radio station’s best-loved living composer.

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of this popular piece, EMI Classics is releasing a Special Edition package comprising the original recording of The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace coupled with the world premiere recording of his brand new piece For the Fallen: In memoriam Alfryn Jenkins, a DVD featuring a full filmed performance of The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace and a special extended commemorative booklet.

For the Fallen: In memoriam Alfryn Jenkins is a setting of Laurence Binyon’s poem, which is recited across the world every Remembrance Day, dedicated to the memory of the composer’s viola-playing uncle, Pilot Officer Alfryn Jenkins. He was captain of a Lancaster Bomber which was lost in action, together with his all-Welsh crew, during a raid over Berlin in 1944. Karl Jenkins was born in February of that year, and Alfryn Jenkins visited his family on his last leave before the fateful mission. The setting opens with a viola solo, as a homage to Alfryn Jenkins and incorporates The Last Post. The soprano solo is performed by Hayley Westenra and the spoken verse is read by legendary British actor Bernard Cribbins.

The brand new piece will receive its world premiere performance at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance concerts taking place at London’s Royal Albert Hall on 13th November 2010 and later broadcast on BBC TV.

Credits: www.karljenkins.com

The album can be purchased at Amazon.co.uk or HMV.com.