"Adiemus" is a song written by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins and performed by Miriam Stockley with Mary Carewe. It was recorded by the Adiemus project and officially released on the 1995 Adiemus: Songs of Sanctuary album.
Recording
"Adiemus" was written in 1994 by Karl Jenkins and premiered in a 1994 Delta Air Lines television advertisement. The song was also used in some Delta in-flight videos. Jenkins chose singer Miriam Stockley as a lead vocalist due to her wide range and Purley resident Mary Carewe for additional vocals. The London Philharmonic Orchestra also performed.
The main idea was to create a modern song using classical forms, such as rondo and ternary. The lyrics themselves have no meaning. The vocals are simply used as another instrument to make music and not to convey any message. The song, written in D dorian, is a mix of African-tribal and Celtic-style melodies.
The song was also used as a soundtrack within the Italian TV programme Ciao Darwin and as the opening titles music on the Biblical series Testament: The Bible in Animation.
Credits and personnel
Karl Jenkins – composer, lyrics, conductor, producer
Miriam Stockley – lead vocals
Mary Carewe – additional vocals
Mike Ratledge – arranger (programmed percussion), producer
Mick Taylor – flute
London Philharmonic Orchestra - Violins, violas, cellos, double basses, percussion.