Madam, - Hugo Brady Brown (March 29th) accuses Karl Jenkins's The Armed Man of musical vacuity and, while acknowledging the work's ability to "speak to people", asks: "Yes, but what does it say to them?"
It seems to me that the vacuity more properly belongs to Mr Brown himself: surely nothing could be more vacuous than his question, as the anti-war message of The Armed Man is both powerful and blindingly obvious.
Anyone who likes to use phrases such as "numinous profundity" might be well advised to study the stark language of the Mahabharata, quoted in Jenkins's work, describing the fate of animals in wartime: "Wings, eyes and paws all burning, /They breathed their last /As living torches". I can testify to the hushed intensity of concert-goers listening to this particular movement, and to the cathartic effect of the beautiful Agnus Dei which follows it.
As for the "plethora of disparate sources", and the work's popularity, Jenkins can rest easy. The Armed Man shares those problems with the Bible. - Yours, etc,
APRIL CRONIN,
Arnott Street,
Dublin 8.
****
Madam, - Kevin Myers is correct to describe The Armed Man one of the great works to emerge from the last century. It is a powerful anti-war cry, which challenges the listener to confront vivid images of the despair and devastation caused by "l'homme armé" on his relentless march towards victory. The beauty of the work is that, while treating an emotive and painful subject, it is immediately accessible to all, both musically and intellectually.
Karl Jenkins draws on a wide span of historical musical influences and cultures. Medieval Europe, the Muslim world, the Hindu tradition, the drumbeat and piccolo of the American Civil War, Celtic rhythms and the Greek and Latin masses all get a look in. This gives a sense of Jenkins's attempt to reach across boundaries that have set by war. This composition makes full use of the entire range of vocal ability and draws listeners of all ages into a profound musical experience.
It is a challenging piece, both to perform and to listen to. As arguments over the use of Shannon Airport by American forces rage on, its performance is timely and highly relevant.
Readers in the south-east may be interested to learn that Madrigallery, Waterford's popular chamber choir, will perform The Armed Man in the Good Shepherd Chapel, Cork Road, this Saturday, April 1st, at 8pm. The performance will be enhanced by video footage. - Yours, etc,
CAITRÍONA MORGAN-O'BRIEN,
Secretary,
Madrigallery,
Grange Park Road,
Waterford.
****
Madam, - Hugo Brady Brown deploys some vigorous invective against The Armed Man. Far be it from us to argue with his aesthetic judgment, but having given the work its Irish première to a rapturous audience at Dublin's Helix auditorium in 2003, we look forward to testing its appeal again at the National Concert Hall on April 23rd. No doubt some of that night's audience will decide for themselves whether there's a sound basis for Mr Brady Brown's scorn. The rest, we hope, will just enjoy themselves. - Yours, etc,
TOM WEYMES,
Dublin County Choir,
Mount Merrion,
Co Dublin.