If you think about it, a commercial enterprise like Delta commisioning a composition is no different thatn the kings and queens who commissioned Mozart, Back, et.al. or old.

Artists need to be paid to continue making art.

This entire CD is absolutely awesome.

As Karl Jenkins puts it: "The text in Adiemus is written phonetically, with the words viewed as instrumental sound. The human voice is the oldest instrument and by removing the distraction of lyrics, we hope to create a sound that is universal and timeless. The knowledge that Adiemus has a meaning - 'we will draw near' invokes what I feel to be an appropriate concept of bringing people together".

I was intrigued by the Adiemus sound a while ago (and the "words" that are completely made up!), enough so to buy an Adiemus CD. While I continue to respect the work, I don't play the CD very much any more, because I don't really enjoy the sound which leaves me feeling cold and distanced.

All Music Guide wrote:
It is so beautiful! It's a shame it had to have such ...common... commercial roots.

But on the other hand, I think corporate sponsors of beautiful music are no more repulsive than record companies. In fact, the more I think of it, I would rather have beautiful music (like this) originate from a commercial than have a record company create a pop band like the BackStreet Boys...

kokope11i wrote:

Well, it all started with a commercial for Delta:

All Music Guide wrote:
Anyway, compared to some of the New Age Muzak, this isn't bad. But why not play something less commercial? E.g. the german group Popul Vuh, who has a long history of creating some of the most intelligent music in the "new age" direction.

Play something from Popul Vuh's "Tantric Songs" - it's beautiful!

I was thinking the same thing. I've heard this too many times on Delta before the plane takes off. While it might be a good song on its own, it now has a connotation of business travel to me. Blech.

palexis wrote:

This is beautiful - unfortunately I cannot help but think of an airline ad in which the music was used. I think it definitily changes the feelings about a song when you see it linked to a brand or message.