On this occasion, we are performing the Liverpool
premiere of The Armed Man' by Carl Jenkins, conducted by the composer and
accompanied by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. The other
name of the work is 'A Mass for Peace'.
In the first half we are singing the negro spirituals
from Tippett's 'A Child of our time', written to express man's oppression of
his fellow men. This is very tuneful.
'The Armed Man' contains parts of the Mass, 'Agnus Dei,
Sanctus, Kyrie and Benedictus. A simplified unison version of the 'Benedictus'
was sung at St Bartholomew's on Remembrance Sunday. These are set to
beautiful, moving music. But this oratorio is also about War, and sections
have been written to portray the awfulness of war, such 'Hymn before
action', 'Angry Flames' Torches' and the section ends with 'Now the guns
have stopped' and 'Better is peace'.
This section does not have the serenity of the Mass, and
may not appeal to those who like their music anodine. Carl Jenkins has a
very large following and requests are already coming in for tickets from
such places as Stoke-on-Trent and Wigan.
Think about it. I am beginning ticket sales on the first
Sunday 2nd January.
