Karl Jenkins - Lament For The Valley

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster in Wales, Sir Karl Jenkins has composed a major new choral work, Cantata Memoria – For The Children, to be released on a Deutsche Grammophon album on 7th October and premiered at the Wales Millennium Centre the following day. The concert will feature some of Wales’ most celebrated artists including Bryn Terfel, Catrin Finch, Elin Manahan Thomas, David Childs, as well as contributions from Michael Sheen and Siân Phillips.

Cantata Memoria was commissioned by S4C, the Welsh language TV channel, to mark 50 years since the Aberfan disaster, when 116 children and 28 adults lost their lives after a colliery waste tip collapsed and engulfed Pantglas school and nearby houses, devastating the local community in South Wales.

Major new choral work marking 50 years since the Aberfan Disaster to be released on Deutsche Grammophon.

Perfomers on Cantata Memoria:
Composed, conducted, orchestrated and produced by: Karl Jenkins
Bryn Terfel: Bass-Baritone
Elin Manahan Thomas: Soprano
Cywair chorus master: Islwyn Evans
CF1 chorus master: Eilir Owen Griffiths
Côr Caerdydd chorus master: Gwawr Owen
Young Voices of Côr Heol y March chorus master: Eleri Roberts
Côr y Cwm chorus master: Elin Llywelyn-Williams
Co-director: Gavin Ashcroft
David Childs: euphonium
Joo Yeon Sir: Violin
Jody Jenkins: Percussion
Catrin Finch: Harp
Rosie, Jody & Karl Jenkins: Recorders
Sinfonia Cymru leader: Benjamin Baker

Karl Jenkins - Lament For The Valley

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#CantataMemoria #KarlJenkins #Wales

[muppetrowlf]

Perfect. And a phenomenal lead Violin. Gifted musician.

[kateweir]

The Korean violinist is absolutely glorious. Unsurpassable passion and skill. Mesmerising brilliant piece of music.

The words so fitting.
"Agnus Dei" (Lamb of God)
"Dona nobis pacem" (Give us peace)...

I was 13 at the time. Sitting in the armchair doing homework while my parents ate dinner at the dining room table near me. We were listening to the radio... Stunned...

The intricacy of the violin is amazing. That sustained high, piercing note at the end...
No words to describe her pure passionate playing...

The children seem to sing with empathy.

[sh]

Tears...unbelievable solemn and piercing.
Omg...the children...

Tears just fell off my face....

Wow!

[Angela-esb]

This lament is so beautiful it is almost painful.

[alandavies]

This man is a genius. I am so proud of him as a Welshman and a musician myself.

[goliver]

...puts how we love ... into perspective...and how each moment....is simply precious x

[kenek]

I was 10 years old when this tragedy happened. I remember watching it with 4 brothers and 4 sisters on a black and white telly. It was truly heartbreaking then as it is now. What a beautiful performance, especially the children.

[ahnungsvoll]

...in der Musik wird man immer wieder erneut abgeholt...und dazu beeindruckt ... wunderbar....

[AlyJiselle]

This song came on Classical MPR (Minnesota) on June 19th at approximately 9pm. I remember clearly because I found it so incredibly moving that I literally pulled off the road and stopped my car to soak in its beauty. By the end, I had tears in my eyes. Without understanding a word or knowing the song title, I could feel the lamenting. I went to the station website to learn more about it and eventually landed here. Actually seeing it performed makes it even more moving-- the energy and commitment of the violinist is electrifying. This is one of the most lovely pieces of music I've ever heard and I feel truly blessed to have experienced it in my lifetime. Bravo, Sir Jenkins!

[musicfangt]

Karl Jenkins is a genius ! He is one of the best, or probably the best modern composer !

[GojuBob]

Very beautiful; I weep again to hear it. I still remember that terrible, terrible day: 21 October 1966.

[marketst]

Speechlessly beautiful - all the tragedy, desperation, chaos and grief 'held together' by an underlay of calm resignation - pure 'feeling' as only Karl Jenkins can compose.

[MADDOGDUKE]

The lament for the valley, so sad it always brings a tear and i feel the pain in my heart those poor poor children

[briansimpson]

This is moving and brilliantly wrritten, made more so by the children coming from the Welsh valleys and numbering if I am correct exactly 116 the number who died. The violin, the nearest instrument to a human voice is amazing!! A true cry!! I was the same age as these children 11 Years old and it was the day my childhood ended. Adults have no answers and are powerless even to defend children. What is so terrible is to me is that the injustice of the huge amount of money that was collected from all the world was taken by the powers that be to remove the very slag tip that buried those children!! It was the biggest injustice this country has ever done!! What is the second given the chance to show this amazing moving Cantata was only available on BBC Wales!! English viewers had to rely on Classic FM to broadcast it, and eventually BBC 4 show it after the 21 st October!! Hardly a fitting remembrance!! there was a reason!! They didn' t want us to hear in one of the pieces the words sung by Bryn Terfyl " Buried alive by the National Coal board". Enough in peace little angels.

[rinconcd]

In memorian of every soul, who wans to be free. Is great peace of music.

[wybertonandframptonchurche]

I recorded and watched the performance. It moved me to tears! I remember the event so well. I was 13. I felt numb and traumatised by what I saw on black and white TV. I was very very angry with God! A senior master in our school commented: "You did not have your head bowed in prayer during school assembly. Why not?" I replied: "Why did God let Aberfan happen?" He said nothing and I bottled my feelings up. It became a real stumbling block to my faith for the next 20 years - before I was able to reconcile that it was the Coal Board and not God to blame! Thank you to the composer and performers. It was a fitting memorial work. Bless you all... and the people of Aberfan.

[CategoricalImperative]

I honestly believe that Karl Jenkins is way ahead of his time. I listen to a lot of modern orchestral, and his music creates such a large but fluid, ethereal atmosphere. Truly moving.

[willedwards]

This sends the soul soaring, transcendent music, tearing at the heart strings

[katyharries]

Listening to this again today and thinking of those families and the way we let down children still today 😔

[markrubin]

Sir Karl, you have won me over. I've performed three of your major works and one is more wonderful than the other.