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Karl Jenkins - Stabat Mater

Stabat Mater is a 2008 piece by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins, and is based on the 13th Century Roman Catholic prayer Stabat Mater. Like much of Jenkins' earlier work, the piece incorporates both traditional Western music (orchestra and choir) with ethnic instruments and vocals - this time focusing on the Middle East.

The recording features the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic orchestra and chorus, along with Lithuanian mezzo-soprano Jurgita Adamonyte and English musician Belinda Sykes, the latter of whom provides both vocals and performance of Eastern instrument the Duduk.

Written in the 13th Century, the poem's title Stabat Mater is actually an abbreviation of the first line, 'Stabat Mater dolorosa', which translates as 'The Sorrowful Mother was Standing'. The poem reflects on the suffering of Mary, mother of Jesus, during the time of the crucifixion. Written in Latin, the piece has been set to music by several prominent composers, including Vivaldi, Rossini, and Verdi, and has been performed across the world.