Jenkins, Karl : Essential Collection

Do you like pre-20th Century classical music and wish that they still wrote music like that? If so, this is one for you. Karl Jenkins would have been a great composer in those prior centuries. This collection of movements/sections from larger works reflects different styles of composition from earlier times.Adiemus and Palladio are probably his most famous works, deservedly so, as they are lovely and catchy. It's nice to hear the Diamond music outside of a commercial.Dies Irae is one of the most driven pieces I've ever heard and I marvel that the chorus made it through the whole thing. It must have been a bitch to sing.Allegrettango is one of the rare successful takes on a well known classical work (the 2nd movement of Beethoven's 7th Symphony). Usually such attempts fall flat on their face because they are so respectful of the original that they have no life or add nothing and the listener wonders what the point was. It's a sign of what a good composer Jenkins is that he pulled this off. My only reservation, a minor one, is that I wish he hadn't faded it out at the end, but it might not bother you as much as it does me.The other selections are all winners.

I was introduced to Karl Jenkins through his commercial music for Delta Airlines and DeBeers Diamonds, although I didn't know that he was the composer. After I went to a very moving live performance of The Armed Man, I started browsing his video clips on YouTube. The Essential Collection kept popping up, so I bought the CD. I think I might wear it out from playing it so often. This is an eclectic sampling of his music, which ranges from the unabashedly joyful to the scarily ominous. I am now a committed Karl Jenkins fan.

This is sort of the middle ground between the Adiemus Collection (6 CDs) and the best-known of Karl Jenkins' works discussed elsewhere. Either way, Jenkins is an important composer, and certainly quite prolific in his output there is certainly some overlap in the three CD offerings that I've reviewed, but that redundancy is hardly objectionable. As I said, it grows on you, and Jenkins does not disappoint.

This recording provides excellent examples of the works in this series of compositions by Karl Jenkins. This would be an excellent first recording of Jenkins works to purchase and will permit the listener to follow up with those works most enjoyed. Well recorded and good choice of works.

I can't believe I've only now discovered Karl Jenkins. All these wasted years that I could've been listening to this incredible music. Suffice to say that I'm now in the process of collecting all of his recordings. I stand in awe and admiration of his mastery of melody, harmony and use of the human voice. The Essential Collection is an excellent first purchase to get a general overview of all the facets of his work.

Anyone who enjoys Karl Jenkins would welcome this CD in their collection. It gives a broad overview of the composer's work and contains some of his most rousing works as well as some very familiar pieces. Persons who are not acquainted with his work will find it to be a compelling reason to explore more. Definitely a must for persons interested in contemporary composers.

I got this because I love one track on it (Adiemus, 1999 version). I first heard it on a video showing a man soaring over Grand Canyon at sunset with a rocket back-pack, and the music was perfect for it. I also love, love, love Miriam Stockley's voice, which is clean, unwavering, flexible range of notes and style, and frankly very sexy. The other tracks are fine but (to my taste) not as distinctive or as good and directionally a bit more repetitive or boring (my opinion), but that's subjective. Sonically, it's a good CD, which is to say much better than (sigh) MP3, but not as good as the golden-ear media revered by audiophiles. I'm normal, so it's good.If you like this type of music and/or Adiemus, it's a good pick.

I saw a video on You Tube about the man who flew over theGrand Canyon with a small jet engine attached to his back.The background music was Karl Jenkin's Andiemus and I loved it.I bought three of his CD's and I love them all. Greatmusic for my CD player in my car!

finalement arrivé....

This item met every expectation in quality, packaging and delivery>

I bought this CD because I heard Allegrettango on FM 96.3 (Toronto) and just had to have my own copy. The fact that teh famous Diamond Music was on it is a big bonus. I must say that some of the pieces take a bit of getting used to but right now this CD is in my car CD player and I listen to it a LOT.

Ich kannte das Präludium von Jenkins (aus der Diamanten-Werbung vor einigen Jahren) und fand das immer sehr schön. Das Stück ist auch auf der CD, aber die restlichen Tracks schon ketwas anders. Aber trotzdem als Hintergrund schön zu hören und gefällt auch Gästen, die sonst keine Klassik hören.

Until now, Verdi has been my only idol. However, this composer has certainly given me food for thought. His final track "Sanctus" is just completely mesmerising, with its unusual brass interjections and strong chords. I love it!. I can't wait to buy the sheet music.