Karl Jenkins\’ The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace is a departure from his Adiemus recordings into the more conventional territory of large-scale choral and orchestral writing, though his customary passion for mixing languages remains in full force with texts in English, Latin and French. Jenkins has said that The Armed Man was inspired by the \”L\’Homme arm\” masses which were popular in the 16th century, and he makes this debt clear with passages written in a neat pastiche of Palestrina-style renaissance polyphony. There are also echoes of earlier and later styles, including plainchant, medieval ballads, James Barry-style horn writing (think Goldfinger) and even a direct quote from Rigoletto (the choir imitates wind sounds at one point as in Act 3 of Verdi\’s opera). The smorgasbord manages to hold together, probably because Jenkins\’ obvious sincerity shines through every note. The London Philharmonic Orchestra plays beautifully, and treble Tristan Hambleton performs his solo with ethereal clarity. The National Youth Choir sings with vigour and accuracy, even if the young sopranos sound a little thin at the top of their range. If you liked the soundtrack to The Mission, this should press all the right buttons. Tracklist:Side A1. The Armed Man – A Mass For Peace: I. The Armed Man2. The Armed Man – A Mass For Peace: II. The Call to Prayers (Adhaan)3. The Armed Man – A Mass For Peace: III. Kyrie4. The Armed Man – A Mass For Peace: IV. Save Me from Bloody Men Side B5. The Armed Man – A Mass For Peace: V. Sanctus6. The Armed Man – A Mass For Peace: VI. Hymn Before Action7. The Armed Man – A Mass For Peace: VII. Charge! Side C8. The Armed Man – A Mass For Peace: VIII. Angry Flames9. The Armed Man – A Mass For Peace: IX. Torches10. The Armed Man – A Mass For Peace: X. Agnus Dei11. The Armed Man – A Mass For Peace: XI. Now the Guns Have Stopped Side D12. The Armed Man – A Mass For Peace: XII. Benedictus13. The Armed Man – A Mass For Peace: XIII. Better Is Peace14. For the Fallen: In Memoriam Alfryn Jenkins