Track Listing

1. Adiemus
2. Tintinnabulum
3. Cantus Inaequalis
4. Cantus Insolitus
5. In Caelum Fero
6. Cantus Iteratus
7. Amate Adea
8. Kayama
9. Hymn

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3586 in Music
• Released on: 1995-05-15
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 54 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
If you have seen a Delta Airlines television commercial that features an African-sounding, childlike choral chant in its soundtrack, you have experienced the title track from Songs of Sanctuary. Adiemus is largely the brainchild of former Soft Machine keyboardist Karl Jenkins, with participation from independent vocalist Miriam Stockley, a native of South Africa; the London Philharmonic Orchestra (which Jenkins conducts on this album) and others. The music of Adiemus will prompt inevitable comparisons to acts such as Dead Can Dance, Enigma and Deep Forest. In the album's liner notes, Jenkins describes the album as "an extended choral-type work based on the European classical tradition, but where the vocal sound is more akin to 'ethnic' or 'world' music." The music of Adiemus, Jenkins later explains, includes voices but not lyrics: "The text was written phonetically with the words viewed as instrumental sound, the idea being to maximise the melisma (an expressive vocal phrase) by removing the distraction, if one can call it that, of words." Ranging in mood from gently tribal to ecclesiastical, Adiemus succeeds in creating the impression of an enchanted global youth or female choir, yet one less forebodingly mysterious than any of the groups previously mentioned. Here you will find textures similar to the ethereal vocalese found in some of Mike Oldfield's more beatific works. The textures are largely uplifting, set within intelligent, classically influenced musical frameworks. --Terry Wood

CD Description
The work of European composer Karl Jenkins, the Adiemus debut SONGS OF SANCTUARY is one of those late 20th century musical triumphs whose success came, oddly enough, through a Delta Airlines TV commercial in which the track "Adiemus" was featured. The exposure resulted in hefty sales for this initial Adiemus collection and ensured further releases.
The music is grounded in Western classical structure but featuresa vocal technique drawn from Africa and executed exuberantly by a chorus of young children as well as the South Africansinger Miriam Stockley. Aside from the occasional line of Latin, there are few lyrics. Rather, the vocalists recite phonetic sounds, resulting in an album that can be understood and appreciated by many.

Customer Reviews

Top Class Modern Classical
I bought this album in retrospect after falling head over heels for Karl Jenkins wonderfully crafted music in Adiemus2 - Cantata Mundi. This album though, was where it all started and in its own right Songs of Sancuary is a tremendous effort with gloriously rich, and complicated harmonies, effortlessly sung in modern, European and ethnic styles by Miriam Stockley and Mary Carewe. The words are meaningless, being phonetic and merely serve to add another instrunment (the human voice) to the orchestra.
It is a truly awesome work, and deserves to be played in the order in which it was performed live at the Royal Albert Hall in 1996 - this was much more sensible an order than the running order on the CD. Smurf the Internet for the details - I did !! It was well worth it.
This music will make the hair on the back of your neck stand on end !!
Prediction - after playing Adiemus - Songs of Sanctuary, you will not be able to help adding Adiemus 2, 3 AND 4 to your collection.

Adiemus: Songs of Sanctuary
I was given this album as a present, and it was my first introduction to the music of Karl Jenkins. The vocals are wonderfully rich, yet also very pure, with an absence of vibrato and decoration to the simple-sounding melodies. However, underneath this apparent simplicity lie complex harmonies and subtle, yet unexpected changes.

If you are a non-musician, this is perfect music to relax to. If you are a musician, feast your ears on the unusual modulations. If you are connected with a choir, you will find it hard to resist buying the music (no doubt also available from Amazon). It is a beautiful work for any choir to perform. It is a beautiful work for anybody to enjoy.

a brilliant CD that is truly uplifting and deeply relaxing
A cd that starts superbly and continues to get better. The sound quality is superb and the music the cd purveys is some of the best that you are ever likely to hear outside of a live performance.