The Sunday Times catches up with Malta Philharmoinic Orchestra’s resident conductor Michael Laus prior to directing The Armed Man, a unique Mass setting by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins.
In 2015, Karl Jenkins was confirmed as “the most popular living composer” in Classic FM’s Ultimate Hall of Fame. Can you underline some particular traits of the composer?
Jenkins makes use of a musical language that, although contemporary, has a strong appeal. Traditional chords and rhythms are combined with occasional, more daring harmonies. Above all, he has a considerable gift for writing memorable melodies, and that is what the audience remembers most after listening to a work. His most successful compositions are for choir and orchestra, and, with the sole exception of Adiemus, based on sacred texts. Apart from The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, his Requiem, Stella Natalis and Stabat Mater are his most frequently performed works.
The Armed Man is arguably his most renowned composition. Drawing inspiration from multiple religious and historical sources, what renders it such a unique ‘Mass for Peace’?
The subject matter for this work originated from Guy Wilson, curator of the Royal Armouries Museum, who also chose the texts for the works and wrote the text for one of the movements. The texts include four parts of the Latin Mass: the Kyrie, Sanctus, Agnus Dei and Benedictus.
This last part is set as a separate movement from the Sanctus and has become the most beloved part of the work. Interspersed between these movements there are texts from the Psalms and Revelations, the Muslim Call to Prayers, texts by Jonathan Swift, Tennyson, Kipling and a selection from the Indian epic poem, the Mahābhārata.
The whole work starts and ends with the medieval song, L’homme armé. The sequence of the movements is such that we are presented with prayers, approaching war, a battle, after which there is a dirge for the war victims and, at the end, a eulogy for peace. Some of the movements, such as the Sanctus and the Benedictus, have become popular in their own right and are sometimes performed as individual selections. But it is the message the work conveys as a whole that has made it memorable and the most frequently performed contemporary work.
The message that the work conveys has made it the most frequently performed contemporary work
The Mass, commissioned by the Royal Armouries, was dedicated to the victims of the Kosovo crisis. Taking cue from this journey through war and music, what role do music and the arts play in today’s contemporary society?
Throughout the ages, music and the arts in general have reflected the events and general aura of the time. For instance, the French composers who worked during and after the French Revolution were clearly inspired by the historical events they were living, and this is apparent not only in the military-style sections which formed a substantial part of their music, but also in a newly-found freedom as regards form and content. They were a great influence on Beethoven, as can be seen in, for example, his Fifth Symphony.
Modern-day music and art reflect the diversity and multiculturalism of contemporary society. Globalisation has left its mark on art, and it is not unusual to find, for example, references to African drumming, Indian rhythms and American minimalist techniques all in the same composition. The richness and diversity of contemporary life is amply reflected in music and the arts, to such an extent that it has become impossible to talk of a contemporary style – there is a multitude of styles.
The concert is yet another collaboration between two public cultural organisations in Malta, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and KorMalta. What is your perspective on the local cultural scene?
During these past few years, cultural life in Malta has become increasing richer, both in quality and quantity. The number of events taking place daily is incredible for such a small nation, although their quality and standard varies considerably. My feeling is that, at times, not enough distinction is made between that which is professional, and events which are prepared by amateurs.
Although the latter are laudable and deserve to be promoted, yet the potential audience has a right to know what to expect from a concert or an art exhibition, before they decide whether to attend or not. This should be the role of the media, which should be wary of ‘blowing up’ artistic events out of proportion. Having said that, I believe that music lovers are spoilt for choice with the events that take place regularly in Malta.
You had conducted The Armed Man at the Mediterranean Conference Centre back in 2009. Any particular memories still cherished fondly from that event?
The performance of The Armed Man in 2009, which I had conducted with the Malta Philharmonic and the St Monica Choir, remains one of my most cherished memories. I had worked intensively with the choir in the months preceding the performance, and their energy and dedication bore fruit, as it was a thrilling evening. Now I look forward to conducting this work again, especially as I shall be working with KorMalta for the first time. Of course, it is always a great joy for me to work with the MPO.
Michael Laus will be conducting the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and KorMalta at the Mediterranean Conference Centre on May 18 at 6pm. More information at www.maltaorchestra.com. For bookings visit www.showshappening.com.