Adiemus IV: The Eternal Knot

1	Cú Chullain (from the soundtrack for "The Eternal Knot") / Karl Jenkins 6:15
2	The eternal knot (from the soundtrack for "The Eternal Knot") / Karl Jenkins 4:04
3	Palace of the Crystal Bridge (from the soundtrack for "The Eternal Knot / Karl Jenkins 3:42
4	The wooing of Étaín (from the soundtrack for "The Eternal Knot") 5:25
5	King of the Sacred Grove (from the soundtrack for "The Eternal Knot") / Karl Jenkins 6:05
6	Sain Declan's Drone (from the soundtrack for "The Eternal Knot") / Karl Jenkins 3:58
7	Salm o "Dewi Sant" (from the soundtrack for "The Eternal Knot") / Karl Jenkins 4:23
8	Connla's Well (from the soundtrack for "The Eternal Knot") / Karl Jenkins 4:19
9	The Dagda (from the soundtrack for "The Eternal Knot") / Karl Jenkins 7:56
10	Children of Dannu (from the soundtrack for "The Eternal Knot") / Karl Jenkins 3:32
11	Ceridwen's Curse (from the soundtrack for "The Eternal Knot") / Karl Jenkins 4:30
12	Hermit of the Sea Rock (from the soundtrack for "The Eternal Knot") / Karl Jenkins 1:45
13	Isle of the mystic lake (from the soundtrack for "The Eternal Knot") / Karl Jenkins 3:16
14	Math was a wizard (from the soundtrack for "The Eternal Knot") / Karl Jenkins 2:57

Barnes & Noble

Adiemus composer Karl Jenkins embraces all things Celtic on this rich fourth album. The Adiemus sound has always maintained a Celtic tinge, but here the focus is a full-on exploration of Hibernian myths. Returning are vocalists Miriam Stockley and high soprano Mary Carewe, whose multilayered, precision vocals rival the layerings of a Balkan woman's chorus. A host of great Celtic musicians add to the orchestral majesty with Uilleann pipes, harp, guitar, accordion, recorder, and percussion. The music was originally written for a documentary series, The Celts, ranging from the valorous, drum-charged warrior jig of "Cú Chullain" and the elephantine trumpet of "The Dagda" to sublime, airy pieces such as "The Eternal Knot" and the forgiving "Hermit of the Sea Rock." "The Wooing of Ètaín" conjures up a bittersweet reverie, featuring nostalgic interplay between the Uilleann pipes and recorder and some fanciful guitar work. Jenkins's music can dance right off the platter, too; the vocal waltz of "King of the Sacred Grove" sweeps broadly, tiptoes with the delicacy of a music box, then accelerates with forceful joy. The rapid-fire pace of "Saint Declan's Drone" would wear out any pair of tap shoes as the singers are put through a steeplechase of acrobatics, pursued by the rousing string section. A feast for the ears, The Eternal Knot will keep you endlessly hitting the repeat button to untie its musical mysteries. Carol Wright

All Music Guide

The Eternal Knot is an extraordinary, dramatic soundtrack to a major television documentary series The Celts, created by Opus Television for S4C International; the series traces the history, lives, and culture of the remarkable Celtic people. Rather than simply perform artificial modern pieces reflecting today's lust for anything to do with that culture, Welsh composer Karl Jenkins delves into the rich history of the music and its ancient originators who lived over 2000 years ago north of the Mediterranean. Each track is based on a famous Celtic myth or historical figure, and the real joy of the collection is reading the liner note blurbs about them and then conjuring them to life as the music swells. "Cu Chullain" is portrayed as the ideal chieftain and defender of his tribe, so the tune features thick tribal march percussion, soaring native female vocals, and dancing orchestral sweeps. "Place of the Crystal Bridge" features the mystical imagery of a delightful palace on a small island, and the whimsical music is like an Irish twist on "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies." "Salm O 'Dewi Sant'" is about Saint David, who founded many monasteries, so the music has an appropriate brooding solemnity. The album's numerous soloists are almost all of Celtic extraction or have chosen to make a Celtic country their home, lending true authenticity to an extraordinary undertaking. Jonathan Widran