Palladio (Jenkins)

Palladio
by Karl Jenkins
Plan of La Rotonda by Palladio, whose design in harmonious proportions inspired the composition
Form	Concerto grosso
Composed	1995 (1995)
Published	1996 (1996): London by Boosey & Hawkes
Duration	16 minutes
Scoring	string orchestra

Palladio is a composition for string orchestra by Karl Jenkins, written in 1995. The title refers to the architect Andrea Palladio (1508–1580). The work in three movements is in the form of a concerto grosso. Motifs of the first movement, Allegretto, were used for a TV commercial of De Beers, "A Diamond Is Forever", from 1993.

Motifs of the first movement, Allegretto, were used for a TV commercial of De Beers, "A Diamond Is Forever", from 1993. Then Jenkins completed a suite of three movements in the form of a concerto grosso for string orchestra, named Palladio, in reverence of the Renaissance architect.

Palladio was published in 1996 by Boosey & Hawkes. It takes about 16 minutes to perform. The composer comments:

Palladio was inspired by the sixteenth-century Italian architect Andrea Palladio, whose work embodies the Renaissance celebration of harmony and order. Two of Palladio's hallmarks are mathematical harmony and architectural elements borrowed from classical antiquity, a philosophy which I feel reflects my own approach to composition. The first movement I adapted and used for the 'Shadows' A Diamond is Forever television commercial for a worldwide campaign. The middle movement I have since rearranged for two female voices and string orchestra, as heard in Cantus Insolitus from my work Songs of Sanctuary.

"Harmonious proportions and mathematics" play a role in music as in architecture. The Renaissance architect Palladio based his designs on antique Roman models and studied especially the measurements of Vitruvius. Jenkins in turn based his music on Palladio's "harmonious mathematical principles".

The music, especially the first movement, has been arranged for different ensembles, including wind quintet and wind band. Jenkins made a version for piano and used the motifs of movement I for an aria "Exultate jubilate", related to his 70th birthday.