The Armed Man

Jenkins' Peace Mass: The Armed man

This year, the Netherlands celebrates 80 years of Freedom. In this time of conflict and rhetoric worldwide, the continued remembrance of war suffering and the focus on freedom for every human being is as relevant as ever. Music can often say more in sound than words. Vocal Ensemble Vox Clara led by conductor Maria Rosenmöller will perform The armed man by Karl Jenkins (*1944) on Sunday 4 May at 4 pm in the Dorpskerk in Voorschoten. A poignant yet hopeful peace mass, Jenkins composed on the occasion of the millennium of the British Royal Armories (1999). He dedicated the mass to the victims in Kosovo.

Jenkins drew inspiration from the 15th-century French song L'homme armé and various sacred and secular texts.
The piece follows the outline of the Christian Mass, but gives it a contemporary interpretation.Alongside the threat of the swelling drum roll, the subdued Kyrie and Agnus Dei resound. Everything moves towards the impressive final piece Better is Peace. Jenkins' Peace Mass is preceded in the concert by the early 17th-century Homo fugit velut umbra (Man flees like a shadow), which harks back to the medieval theme of death as the great equaliser.The performance ends with the beautiful Hope is the thing with feathers by Christopher Tin (*1976) from 2019.Based on a text by Emily Dickinson (1830-1886).This creates a triptych that moves from human destiny to hope.

This combination of pieces from different times and spheres characterises - besides the warm timbre of male and female voices - the signature of conductor Maria Rosenmöller.Behind each concert is a musical and distinctive concept that manages to move the listener.
At this concert, Vox Clara is supported by an instrumental ensemble consisting of a string quartet, flute, 2 trumpets, percussion and organ or piano. Tickets for the concert (adults 15 euros; children up to 18 years free ) are available at www.voxclara.nl or at the venue.