Karl Jenkins - Cantata Memoria (Deutsche Grammophon)
On Oct. 21, 1966, the children in the Welsh village of Aberfan went to school just like any other day. But that day, a heavy rain began to fall, and tragedy hit when 40,000 cubic meters of mining debris careened downhill in a landslide burying that little school, killing 116 children and 28 adults.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, composer Karl Jenkins was commissioned to compose the Cantata Memoria for large vocal and orchestral forces. It was recently recorded with a cast of leading soloists including Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel, soprano Elin Manahan Thomas, and harpist Catrin Finch.
The work is written in two parts. The first is quite literal, telling the story of the tragedy itself. The rest of the piece is a journey from darkness to light.
Resources
Karl Jenkins - official site
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