From time to time, I’ve posted about musical acts and music in general on this site. Well, this post is no different. There is music that I know you’ve heard in some Delta Airlines TV commercials and in other advertisements. It’s a choral which sounds African or Celtic or even Middle Ages European depending on your upbringing. And if you’re like me, when you hear it, you’re saying to yourself, “What is the name of that song?” Well, here’s the answer. The piece I’m referring to is Adiemus by Welsh composer, Sir Karl Jenkins (pictured below).
Jenkins’ Adiemus is a groundbreaking musical piece that blended classical orchestration with vocals to create a truly unique, but universal sound. The tune is catchy and the lyrics are enthralling. And it is the lyrics that set Adiemus apart. The lyrics are not in any spoken language. Rather, they are nonsensical syllables sung with great emotional intensity by a soprano voice.
This unique approach frees the music from the constraints of any single spoken language, allowing it to transcend cultural and speech boundaries. The piece is structured like a classical work with rich orchestrations and pulsing primal percussions and harmonies. When I first heard the piece, I thought it was a traditional African folk tune (shows what I know). But, to my surprise, some of my friends thought it was a typical Celtic piece, which reinforces the genius of this work. In short, you hear what you want to hear when listening to it.
Jenkins, a classically trained composer with roots in jazz and rock, says he intended Adiemus to be accessible to all listeners. He says he drew inspiration from African rhythms, Celtic melodies, and European classical traditions, enabling him to weave them into a powerful tapestry. The result is music that feels both ancient and modern, spiritual and yet grounded at the same time. The song evokes an emotional response without using recognizable words. Thus, proving that music, at its core, is a universal language.
Adiemus is the title track of the 1997 album Adiemus: Songs of Sanctuary, which features South African vocalist Miriam Stockley. It’s a great album and a fine addition to anyone’s music collection.
Sadly, I must apologize in advance for the earworms you’ll get if you click on any of the following links. This is the original version on the 1997 album with Miriam Stokley and heard most often in commercials. This “Official Video” posted in 2017. Honestly, images of the Serengeti in Tanzania in this video reinforced my initial belief that Adiemus was an African folk tune.
However, below is the version I like the best. It is Sir Karl Jenkins conducting the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Chorus at the Royal Albert Hall. The piece sounds slower than the original, but this change in tempo makes the piece more hymn-like. It is a wonderful interpretation of a wonderful song.
