Oratorio Choir prepares to perform Mass for Peace
One Hundred years ago, the Canadian Corps was ordered to seize Vimy Ridge. The battle began on April 9, 1917. It was a victory that has come to be known as a defining moment for Canada as the birth of a nation. It was also a victory that came at a terrible cost.
Canada marks Vimy Ridge Day on April 9. It is a fitting day for the Swift Current Oratorio Choir to present “The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace”.
“The Armed Man” was written by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins. It was commissioned by the United Kingdom’s Royal Armouries Museum for the Millennium celebrations. Jenkins dedicated the work to the victims of Kosovo, which tragedy was unfolding as Jenkins was composing the work.
“The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace” runs the gamut of emotions. It begins with excitement and anticipation with a call to arms and the marching drumbeat of war. It transitions through prayers for help and deliverance, and soldiers bracing themselves for war and preparing for the ultimate sacrifice. Text from Rudyard Kipling’s “Hymn Before Action” reflects the battle-ready mindset and grim determination of a brotherhood of soldiers prepared to die together.
The turning point comes with the realizations of the horrors of war, with texts from a Japanese poet reflecting on the effects of the atomic bombs of WWII paired with ancient Hindu text from the Mahabharata depicting a fiery scene as battles rage between families descended from gods and demons.
After the traumas of war, “A Mass For Peace” turns to mourning and a hope for peace. The Agnus Dei from traditional masses (“Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world”), as well as the Benedictus, remind us of Christ’s sacrifice, and remind us that even one death is too many, as each life is precious.
Peace leads to rejoicing with poetry from Tennyson, entreating us to “ring out the thousand wars of old” and “ring in the thousand years of peace”, accompanied by sounds reminiscent of the church bells throughout England, silenced during WWII, all ringing at once to celebrate the end of war.
The final chorus tempers the triumph of rejoicing with the knowledge that despite our hopes and prayers for peace, wars have continued.
While the words and music alone present vivid imagery, this performance also features a video that was developed specifically for “The Armed Man”, and runs concurrently with the music. This video contains graphic images of war that may be disturbing for young children.
The Swift Current Oratorio Choir will present “The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace” on Sunday April 9 at 7 p.m. at Bridgeway Community Church, with special guests the Regina Symphony Chamber Players.