Adiemus(albums)

Adiemus/ædiˈeɪməs/is a series ofnew-age musicalbums byWelshcomposerKarl Jenkins.It is also the title ofthe opening trackon the first album of the series,Adiemus: Songs of Sanctuary,recorded in 1994 and released the next year.

Concept and origins

EachAdiemusalbum is a collection of song-length pieces featuringharmonisedvocalmelodyagainst anorchestrabackground.

The vocal parts are not written in an actual language, despite some of the lyrics bearing a passing similarity toLatin.The 'words' were written phonetically by Jenkins to match the orchestral parts, with the intention being to have the voices act purely as another instrument.

The wordadiemusitself resembles theLatinwordadeamus,meaning "let us approach" (or "let us submit a cause to a referee" ),or is sometimes regarded as the future tense of the same verb, meaning "we shall approach" or "we shall take possession".The title also resembles two forms of the Latin verbaudire( "to hear" ):audiemus( "we shall hear" ) andaudiamus( "let us hear" ),although Jenkins has said he was unaware of any connections to real Latin words.

The titular piece onAdiemus – Songs of Sanctuarywas originally composed for aDelta Air LinesTV commercial. The piece gained significant popularity as a result, and Jenkins then decided to expand it into a full work.

Instrumentation and performers

ScoringforSongs of Sanctuary

recorder,8percussion,4tom-toms,congas,cymbals,claves,floor tom,bass drum,mark tree,bass bell in C,cabasa,wood block,triangle,strings

Scoring forCantata Mundi

2flutes(1 doubling onpiccolo), 2oboes(1 doubling onEnglish horn), 2clarinets,2bassoons,6horns,3trumpets,4trombones,tuba,timpani,claves,cowbell,güiro,2cabasas,triangle,chenchen,Egyptian tabla,duhulla, tom-tom, cymbals,shekere,xylophone,glockenspiel,bass marimba,bongos,rek, udu pot,tablas,sticks,pandeiro,timbales,surdo,bass drum,tamtam,suspended cymbals,tambourine,recorder, strings (featuring on album are also theviolin,electro-acoustic percussionandgemshorn)

Scoring forDances of Time

7 singers, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 6 horns, 3 trumpets, 4 trombones, tuba, timpani, 8 percussionists: bass drum, bongos, cowbell, shekere, chocalho, cymbals, claves, congas, cabasa,castanets,dholak, güiro, 5 low drums, low chekere, marimba, rainmaker, rek,snare drum,shaker,surdo, tom-tom, tabla, tamborim, tambourine, triangle, udo, wood block, xylophone, recorder, strings (featuring on album are also the electro-acoustic percussion and gemshorn)

Scoring forThe Eternal Knot

recorder,accordion,percussion,harp,strings (on album also theacoustic guitar,Uilleann pipes)

Scoring forVocalise

for voices and orchestra

Session singerMiriam Stockleyperformed the vocal parts on the first four albums. Stockley was described by Jenkins as central to theAdiemusproject due to her range andintonation;however, she was not re-engaged forVocalise.Additional vocals were provided byMary Careweon all butDances of Time,which saw the introduction of theFinnishAdiemus Singers (who would later appear onVocalise). Extra vocals and the chorus effects were created byoverdubbingmultitrackedrecordings of the singers (in some cases up to 40 times) and varying the speed of the tape.

TheSongs of Sanctuaryorchestra consisted of a string section augmented by various ethnic percussion instruments, with occasional further additions such asbells,a recorder and aquena.Mike Ratledge,with whom Jenkins had played inSoft Machine,contributed to the first album as well. Jenkins addedbrassandwoodwindforCantata Mundi,and continued to add more diverse instruments such asacoustic guitaron later albums. FromSongs of SanctuarytoDances of Time,theLondon Philharmonic Orchestrawas used; Jenkins later formed his own Adiemus Orchestra to perform onThe Eternal Knotrecordings, returning to the London Philharmonic forVocalise.

Singers

• Miriam Stockley
• Mary Carewe
• Pirjo Aittomäki
• Mervi Hiltunen
• Anna-Mari Kähärä
• Merja Rajala
• Säde Rissanen
• Hanna-Riikka Siitonen
• Mia Simanainen
• Nina Tapio
• Riikka Timonen

Musical style

The musical language ofAdiemusdraws heavily onclassicalandworld music.Jenkins follows conventions oftonalityup to a point—his harmony is derived fromgospelandAfrican music,decorated with functionaldissonancessuch assuspensionsand with greater freedom of movement between loosely relatedkeyareas. He avoids the most commontime signatures,such as 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4, with a slow 3/2 and 6/8, 9/8 and 5/8 (Cantus InaequalisfromSongs of Sanctuary). "Free time" is also prominent, in this as well as the majority of new age projects. The percussion section, when used prominently, gives the pieces an upbeat,tribal-like rhythm.

The sound ofAdiemusis generally identified withnew-ageorCeltic music;The Eternal Knotis an explicitly Celtic-themed album that formed the sound-track for theS4CdocumentaryThe Celts.

Audience

Songs of Sanctuarywas a commercial success, topping classical album charts.Though none of its successors has achieved the same critical acclaim,Adiemusacquired acult followingand maintained a place in mainstream consciousness through its use inTV commercials,in particular the track "Adiemus"in aDelta Air Linescommercial (for which the project began)and "Cantilena", fromCantata Mundi,in aCheltenham & GloucesterTV commercialand "Chorale VI (Sol–Fa) Cantus Song of Aeolus", in a Toyota Prius PHV TV commercial. "Adiemus" was also the eighth feature track of the original 1997Pure Moodsalbum. It was used at the beginning and end of James Brandon's magic show "Imagine" which played at theLuxor Las Vegasin the late 1990s and continues to be used as the soundtrack behind theKubla Khanpillar show at the end of the Rotunda cave tour inKartchner Caverns State Parkin Arizona."Adiemus" was used in the trailer to theInvisible Childrendocumentary film and featured in the titles of the 1996 BBC children's seriesTestament: The Bible in Animation.That same year, it was used in theBaywatchepisode "Beauty and the Beast"."Tintinnabulum" was sampled inSolarstone's 1999Ibiza tranceanthem "Seven Cities".

Albums

Adiemus: Songs of Sanctuary

Main article:Adiemus: Songs of Sanctuary

1. "Adiemus"– 4:01
2. "Tintinnabulum" – 10:57
3. "Cantus Inaequalis" – 3:13
4. "Cantus Insolitus" – 5:35
5. "In Caelum Fero" – 7:45
6. "Cantus Iteratus" – 6:36
7. "Amaté Adea" – 5:12
8. "Kayama" – 8:06
9. "Hymn" – 2:38

Adiemus II: Cantata Mundi

Released in 1996, and building on the style established inAdiemus: Songs of Sanctuary,Jenkins broadens his musical approach toCantata Mundiby including instrumentation and techniques from Eastern Europe, Arabia, and Asia. Compared to the earlier work, the orchestra is also expanded to includewoodwindsandbrass.The overall form of this album is acantataof fourteenmovementsalternating between longer 'cantus' pieces and brief 'chorales'.

Track listing forAdiemus II

1. "Cantus – 'Song of Tears'"– 9:01
2. "Chorale I (Za Ma Ba)" – 1:50
3. "Cantus – 'Song of the Spirit'"– 6:09
4. "Chorale II (Roosh Ka Ma)" – 1:50
5. "Cantus – 'Song of the Trinity'"– 6:11
6. "Chorale III (Vocalise)" – 2:20
7. "Cantus – 'Song of the Odyssey'"– 7:25
8. "Chorale IV (Alame Oo Ya)" – 2:59
9. "Cantus – 'Song of the Plains'"– 11:26
10. "Chorale V (Arama Ivi)" – 1:21
11. "Cantus – 'Song of Invocation'"– 8:45
12. "Chorale VI (Sol–Fa)" / "Cantus – 'Song of Aeolus'"– 5:46
13. "Chorale VII (A Ma Ka Ma)" – 1:18
14. Bonus Track: "Cantilena" – 3:24
15. Bonus Track: "Elegia" – 4:06

Personnel forAdiemus II

• London Philharmonic Orchestra
• Karl Jenkins–Conductor
• Miriam Stockley–Vocals
• Mary Carewe– Additional vocals in Choruses
• Pamela Thorby –Recordersandgemshorn
• Christopher Warren-Green– Soloviolin
• Jody Barratt-Jenkins –Electro-acousticpercussion

Alternative versions

Several releases, including the United States release, ofCantata Mundifeature two bonus tracks, "Cantilena" and "Elegia", which are early musical sketches composed by Jenkins in preparation for this album.

As is common with Adiemus albums, the cover art of releases in certain regions may be different. The cover of the United States release features a silhouetted persons reminiscent of the cover art forAdiemus: Songs of Sanctuaryin that region as well as the cover forDiamond Music.European releases depict an insect hive in various shades of reds and yellows within an abstracted mechanical clock. A special edition release in Europe shows a winged figure ascending into the sky. Other releases use dolphins which are characteristic of Adiemus albums in some markets.

Adiemus III: Dances of Time

Released in 1998, this album is a tribute to the interrelationship betweenmusicanddancethroughout history. As such, most tracks are composed in a traditionalstyle of dance,includingmeter.

In addition to themultitrackedvocals used in the previous Adiemus recordings, Jenkins introduces the FinnishAdiemus Singersto perform the chorus toMiriam Stockley's lead.

Track listing forAdiemus III

1. "Corrente (Courante) "– 5:04
2. "Un Bolero Azul (BlueBolero) "– 8:35
3. "La La La Koora (Ländler) "– 3:20
4. "Dawn Dancing" – 3:14
5. "Kaya Kakooya (Rumba) "– 4:34
6. "Intrada&Pavan"– 7:25
7. "Minuet"– 1:24
8. "Rain Dance"– 4:30
9. "AfricanTango"– 8:05
10. "Zarabanda (Sarabande) "– 4:36
11. "Ein Wiener Walzer (AViennese Waltz) "– 4:59
12. "Hymnto the Dance "– 3:52
13. "Dos a Dos (Square dance) "– 4:15
14. "Tango" – 5:51

Alternate versions ofAdiemus III

The final track "Tango" is an edited version of the track "African Tango" and is only available on some releases. A Japanese special edition release includes a second disc featuring "Beyond the Century (Makare Maka)" 4:54, "Elegia" 4:05 from some releases ofAdiemus II: Cantata Mundi,"Hymn" 2:38 fromAdiemus: Songs of Sanctuary,and an edited version of "Corrente" 4:23 from the first disc of this album.

As is common with Adiemus albums, the cover art of releases in certain regions may be different.

Personnel forAdiemus III

• Adiemus – Performer
• David Buckland – Photography
• Martin Giles – Mastering
• Nick Harris & The Soundbarriers – Assistant engineer
• Helen Hodkinson – executive producer, associate producer
• Jody Jenkins – Electric drums
• Karl Jenkins – Composer, conductor, producer, orchestration
• Dick Lewzey – Engineer
• London Philharmonic Orchestra
• Matt Marshall – Executive producer
• Russell Mills – Artwork, design
• Duncan Riddell – Orchestra leader
• Säde Rissanen – Vocals
• Sheila Rock – Photography
• Mia Simanainen – Vocals
• Miriam Stockley – Vocals
• Nina Tapio – Vocals
• Pamela Thorby – Recorder,gemshorn
• Riikka Väyrynen – Vocals
• Michael Webster – Design assistant

Adiemus IV: The Eternal Knot

Released in 2001, this album was inspired byCeltichistory and mythology, and served as the soundtrack to theS4C InternationaldocumentaryThe Celts.In addition to rich string orchestrations and vocals borrowing from world musical styles common to Adiemus, Jenkins adds the accompaniment of ethnic instruments such as theUilleann pipesandCarnyx.

Track listing forAdiemus IV

1. "Cú Chullain" – 6:15
2. "TheEternal Knot"– 4:04
3. "Palace of the Crystal Bridge" – 3:42
4. "The Wooing of Étaín"– 5:25
5. "King of theSacred Grove"– 6:05
6. "SaintDeclan's Drone "– 3:58
7. "Salm O 'Dewi Sant'" – 4:23
8. "Connla's Well"– 4:19
9. "The Dagda"– 7:56
10. "Children of Dannu" – 3:32
11. "Ceridwen's Curse "– 4:30
12. "Hermit of the Sea Rock" – 1:45
13. "Isle of the Mystic Lake" – 3:16
14. "MathWas a Wizard "– 2:57

Personnel forAdiemus IV

• Adiemus Orchestra
• Karl Jenkins–Conductor
• Miriam Stockley–Vocals
• Mary Carewe– Additional vocals in choruses
• Pamela Thorby –Recorder
• Caryl Ebenezer – Highsoprano
• Davy Spillane–Uilleann pipes
• Martin Taylor–Acoustic guitar
• David Farmer –Accordion
• Catrin Finch–Harp
• Jody K Jenkins –Carnyxeffect andpercussion

Alternate versions ofAdiemus IV

The theme from "Salm O 'Dewi Sant'" is derived from "Psalm 27" of Jenkins'sDewi Sant.The theme from "The Dagda" was borrowed from "Lacus Pereverantiae" from Jenkins's earlier workImagined Oceans.The theme for "Isle of the Mystic Lake" is that of "Palus Nebularum" also fromImagined Oceans."The Eternal Knot" went on to become the theme for "Benedictus" from Jenkins'smassThe Armed Man.

As is often the case with albums in the Adiemus project, releases in different regions may have different cover art. The cover Japanese release ofAdieums IV: The Eternal KnotHas gold text and designs, including a dolphin, over a green background whereas other releases have white text over aCeltic knoton a bluish-green background.

Adiemus V: Vocalise

Released in 2003. In contrast to Jenkins's past Adiemus compositions, several of the tracks in this album are arrangements or variations on existing classical works. Additionally, the lyrics for some tracks are borrowed from religious texts or even the title of the piece rather than the invented phonetic language used exclusively in the preceding Adiemus albums.Adiemus V: Vocalisefeatures the broadest range in musical styles and instrumentation of the series.

Track listing forAdiemus V

All tracks byKarl Jenkins

1. "Rondo" (afterViolin Concerto (Beethoven)) – 4:09
2. "The Protector" (lyrics translated fromHebrewGrailtext) – 4:11
3. "Allegrettango" (afterSymphony No. 7 (Beethoven),second movement) – 6:01 (with Terry Barber, countertenor)
4. "Dona Nobis Pacem Part I" (lyrics fromAgnus Deiof the Ordinary of theMass) – 2:26
5. "Dona Nobis Pacem Part II" (lyrics from Agnus Dei of the Ordinary of the Mass) – 6:00
6. "Akruzam" (aftermazurkasbyFrédéric Chopin) – 4:29
7. "Schwanda the Bagpiper" (arrangement ofJaromír Weinberger'sŠvanda the Bagpiper) – 1:49
8. "Exit Schwanda" – 1:18
9. "Bendigedig" – 5:20 (with Terry Barber, countertenor)
10. "Schubert's Dance" (afterFranz Schubert) – 3:20
11. "Berceuse pour un Enfant Solitaire" – 6:11
12. "Aria" (arrangement of "Cantilena" fromHeitor Villa-Lobos'sBachianas Brasileiras) – 5:30 (with Terry Barber, countertenor, andRichard Harwood,cello)
13. "Mysterious are Your Ways" – 3:30
14. "Mi Contra Fa, Diabolus in Musica" – 5:55
15. "Vocalise" (arrangement ofSergei Rachmaninoff's "Vocalise") – 4:31 (with Terry Barber, countertenor)
16. encore:"Boogie Woogie Llanoogie" – 3:29

Personnel forAdiemus V

• Pirjo Aittomäki – Vocals
• Terrance L. Barber Jr. – Countertenor (Vocal)
• Mary Carewe – Vocals
• Paul Clarvis – Percussion
• Helen Connolly – Executive producer, associate producer
• Mark Feltham– Harmonica
• Martin Giles – Mastering
• Richard Harwood– Cello
• Mervi Hiltunen – Vocals, soloist
• Nigel Hitchcock – Saxophone, wind controller
• Gavin Horsley – Bass (vocal)
• Jody Barratt Jenkins – Percussion, piano, programming, producer, editing
• Karl Jenkins – Piano, arranger, conductor, producer, concept, song notes
• Anna-Mari Kähärä – Vocals
• London Philharmonic Orchestra
• Steve Price – Mi xing
• Merja Rajala – Vocals
• Säde Rissanen – Vocals
• Pieter Schoeman – Orchestra leader
• Hanna-Riikka Siitonen – Vocals
• Mia Simanainen – Vocals
• Belinda Sykes– Vocals, soloist
• Nina Tapio – Vocals
• Martin Taylor – Guitar
• Pamela Thorby – Recorder
• Riikka Timonen – Vocals
• Paul Vozdic – Cover photo
• Kenny Wheeler – Flugelhorn
• Guy Wiffen – Engineer

Singles and alternative versions

Common to albums in the Adiemus project, releases in different regions may have different cover art, such as the Japanese release ofAdieums V: Vocalise.

Special albums

• 2000 –The Journey: The Best of Adiemus
• 2002 –Adiemus Live
• 2002 –Adiemus New Best & Live
• 2003 –The Essential Adiemus
• 2013 –Adiemus Colores
• 2017 –Symphonic Adiemus

See also

• List of ambient music artists

External links

• AdiemusonMySpace
• AdiemusonLast.fm