The first Community Music Event of the Season

Welcome to the 2009-2010 Season, well almost. Technically, it begins in September.

But the first event is nearly here. On Friday September 11th at 7:30 PM, the Menomonee Falls Symphony will remember the sad events of that day in 2001 with a concert at the Basilica of St. Josephat, on the corner of 6th and Lincoln. The Orchestra will perform Karl Jenkins The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace, partnering with the St. Sebastian Adult Choir and members from the Milwaukee Archdiocesan Choir.

The Armed Man - A Mass For Peace is the result of a special millennial commission from the Royal Armouries and the latest in a six century old tradition of "Armed Man" masses that take the fifteenth century French song "L'Homme Armé" as their starting point. Large scale in both scope and scale "The Armed Man" it is a profoundly moving yet very accessible work which uses the most traditional of means to explore an all too contemporary subject. From the composer: "As I started composing "The Armed Man" the tragedy of Kosovo unfolded. I was reminded daily of the horror of such conflict and so I dedicate the work to the victims of Kosovo" .

In a manner reminiscent of Britten's War Requiem, "The Armed Man" interpolates a number of different texts within the usual Mass form. Malory, Dryden, Swift, Tennyson, Kipling, The Koran and the Hindu Mahàbharàta contribute to a compelling account of the descent into and terrible consequences of war.

The performance by the Monomonee Falls Symphony in remembrance of September 11, 2001 has become an annual event. If you have not heard this piece, I strongly recommend that you attend. There is nothing I can think of to which I could compare it. You really need to hear this piece for yourself.

I'll post an update with ticket information once I have it.