“STABAT MATER” BY KARL JENKINS
A LIVE RECORDING
In October 2018, VOX Cape Town joined forces with Stadskoor Tygerberg and Cantique Chamber Choir to present Karl Jenkins’s choral and orchestral masterpiece in the magnificent acoustic of St George’s Cathedral.
Thanks to the generous support of the team at CapeTown Sound, the live recording of this performance was for some time available as a limited-edition physical CD. Unfortunately, copyright restrictions prevent this recording from being published online.
Inspired by ancient modes and instruments from the Middle East, this eclectic work, written in 2001, gives fresh expression and intensity to the timeless 13th-century “Stabat Mater” text. Three choirs and a host of top instrumentalists came together in 2018 in the magnificent acoustic of St George’s Cathedral, replete with atmospheric lighting, to present this choral and orchestral journey to solace. The disc also includes, as a bonus track, a listening guide based on the pre-performance talk.
TRACK LISTING
1. Cantus Lacrimosus (13th-Century Latin)
At the cross her station keeping, stood the mournful Mother weeping, close to Jesus to the last.
2. Incantation (13th-Century Latin)
Pray for us, O Holy Mary, O Mother of God, O virgin of virgins, Pray for us.
3. Vidit Jesum In Tormentus (13th-Century Latin)
Is there one would not weep, whelmed in miseries so deep, Christ’s dear Mother to behold?
4. Lament (Written by Carol Barratt especially for this work)
Feeling all the grief and sorrow, we live life with shadows in our hearts and minds,
With tears that wait to fall when sorrow in the world is more than we can truly bear…
5. Sancta Mater (13th-Century Latin)
Holy Mother! Pierce me through, in my heart each wound renew, of my Saviour crucified.
6. Now My Life Is Only Weeping (Written by Jalāl ad-Dīn Rūmī, 1207-1273)
Now my life is only weeping, like a candle melting, like a flute my cries are song…
7. And The Mother Did Weep (Written by Karl Jenkins)
8. Virgo Virginum (13th-Century Latin)
Virgin, of all virgins blest! Listen to my fond request: Let me share thy grief divine.
9. Are You Lost Out In Darkness? (From The Epic of Gilgamesh, 7th Century BCE)
Are you lost out in darkness? Is your sleep, your silence, endless? Can you no more hear my voice?
10. Ave Verum (13th-Century Latin)
Hail, true body, born of the Virgin Mary, truly suffered, sacrificed on the cross for mankind.
11. Fac, Ut Portem Christi Mortem (13th-Century Latin)
Let me, to my latest breath, in my body bear the death of your dying Son divine.
12. Paradisi Gloria (13th-Century Latin)
Be to me, O Virgin, nigh, lest in flames I burn and die, in his awful Judgement Day.
When my body dies, let my soul be granted the glory of Paradise. Amen. Alleluia.
13. “Embarking on a choral and orchestral journey to solace…”
A listening guide, adapted from the pre-performance talk, presented by John Woodland
VOX Cape Town, Stadskoor Tygerberg and Cantique Chamber Choir
Linda Claassen (Conductor)
Minette du Toit-Pearce (Soloist)
Broadcast on Fine Music Radio
“Glorious rendition, utterly captivated.”
“I much enjoyed hearing the recording, broadcast on FMR this evening, and John Woodland’s fascinating introduction. BRILLIANT!”
“Wonderful. So grateful to hear the Fine Music Radio broadcast tonight.”
“I found it to be beautiful, moving and inspiring. Thank you.”
On Thursday 24 October 2019, almost exactly a year since the performance, Fine Music Radio broadcast our live recording of the Stabat Mater by Karl Jenkins. The entire choral and orchestral journey to solace was featured in the evening programme “Symphony Concert” (8-10 pm), preceded by a listening guide presented by John Woodland. The comments above were received from some of our listeners.