A group of singers from the Chorale joined a Big Chorus event in June to sing a new work by Karl Jenkins, with a recording at the world famous Abbey Road Studios, home of the Beatles (and opened by Elgar conducting the LSO in 1930)
The Peacemakers is a work extolling peace. It will have two stirring choral movements: Fiat Pax and Peace, Triumphant Peace, one tribal, the other anthem-like. The ethos of the work is summed up in a line from Rumi, a 13th century Persian mystic poet
All religions, all singing one song; Peace be with you.
We spent an hour rehearsing with Brian Kay (above) at St Mark's Church, Maida Vale with one piano and around four hundred singers. Then it was off to Abbey Road, fun and games on the famous crossing, and into the studio to record, with Karl Jenkins conducting. We felt very professional wearing our headphones and singing to the pre-recorded LSO backing track: less so when we had feedback from our first take! But it got better, and Jenkins and the team were very pleased with the final result.
As a bonus we were asked to record the Agnus Dei from The Armed Man for an event in the autumn. This was a reminder of what a lovely work this is. And we did it in just two takes.
It was a great day, and it's no surprise that we look exhilarated by the end of it.
For more pictures of the event click here.
