Karl Jenkins Requiem CD

Sir Karl Jenkins, the most performed living composer, is celebrating his 75th birthday with a brand-new album, and a host of reissues from his immensely popular catalogue – all now available on Decca Records.

Karl Jenkins's Requiem absolutely fits into his unique and distinctive style. As with all of his major works, it's an unashamed melting pot of musical styles. In keeping with tradition, Jenkins chose to set the traditional Latin text of the Requiem Mass. He makes a nod in the direction of the conventional, while still including a few surprises along the way. In the case of his Requiem, it's the use of Japanese haiku poems, which, just like the Latin text, focus on the subject of death. 

"A Requiem is a Mass for the souls of the dead. In general I have set the usual Latin movements but in keeping with my usual trait of drawing from other cultures, I have also set five Japanese haiku 'death' poems. Such poems are usually to do with nature, have a single idea, and consist of seventeen syllables divided 5-7-5 over three lines. As one can see from the text, the Japanese view nature's water cycle [precipitation] as being synonymous with life. I have combined the Western and Eastern texts in two of the haiku movements. Having Seen The Moon and Farewell, which incorporate the Benedictus and the Agnus Dei respectively. Both are intoned by male voices in a monastic style as a counterpoint to the Japanese text sung by females" - Karl Jenkins

Over 20 years ago, Sir Karl changed the way classical music was perceived as Adiemus – Songs of Sanctuary broke the chart music rule books. It caused a huge stir as the album was not considered eligible for the classical charts, despite its huge popularity among classical fans – selling a million copies worldwide in its first year. The album went on to achieve 17 Gold and 2 Platinum discs. 

Sir Karl Jenkins has been decorated with a considerable range of awards for his services to music, including an OBE, CBE, and a knighthood. There are over 250 performances per year of his work in more than 20 countries, and he has consistently been the highest placed living composer in Classic FM's Hall of Fame.