A Community Concert For Peace.
On Saturday, May 4, 2024, Saginaw Choral Society presents their season finale, The Armed Man, A Community Concert for Peace, at the Temple Theatre at 3:00 PM.
Karl Jenkins’ brilliant and rarely heard work for choir and orchestra, The Armed Man, is dedicated to the victims of the Kosovo Crisis of 1998-1999. Subtitled A Mass for Peace, the work is just that – a call for peace. The text depicts the horrors of war and ends with the hope for peace in a new millennium. “Ring out the thousand wars of old! Ring in the thousand years of peace!”
The Armed Man is based on the Catholic Mass, which Jenkins combines with other sources, principally the 15th-century folk song "L'homme armé" in the first and last movements.
Using the traditional Kyrie, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, and Benedictus from the Ordinary of the Mass, Jenkins incorporates words from other religious and historical sources, including Psalms and Revelation from the Bible and text from the Mahabharata, the ancient Indian epic poem said to have over 100,000 verses. Other writers whose words appear in the work include Rudyard Kipling, Alfred Lord Tennyson and Sankichi Toge, who survived the Hiroshima bombing but died some years later of leukemia. Artistic Director Jeremiah Kraniak states, “There are many pieces like The Armed Man in the musical repertoire. But, for me, no other work has painted such a vivid picture of the consequences of war and the hope of saving future generations from experiencing such pain.”
In a world where the notes of war can still be heard, the message of The Armed Man will echo through the performance - Peace. Veterans and those currently serving are invited to attend and be honored. Their sacrifices inspire us, and through music, we honor their dedication to peace and freedom.
Executive Director, Tamara Grefe, concludes, “Those of us with parents, siblings, or friends who saw conflict know that our loved ones were affected for life by what they witnessed. My own father would never talk about it. Many of my generation were unduly criticized for their service. Through music, we can change that. This brilliant piece of choral literature gives a message of hope. Hope that humanity will come to believe that Better is Peace than Always War. Come to the concert. Bring a veteran.”
Critical Information
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
Time; 3:00 PM
Where: Temple Theatre
Price: Concert Tickets $30 | $24 | $10
Balcony Seating $45 (includes hospitality)
Available: templetheatre.com | 989.754.7469 | at the Door