The world premiere performance of Karl Jenkins' Stabat Mater took place on March 15th 2008 in Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir conducted by the composer.

Stabat Mater is a 13th-century Roman Catholic poem attributed to Jacopone da Todi. It's title is an abbreviation of the first line, Stabat Mater Dolorosa (‘the sorrowful mother was standing'). This text, one of the most powerful and immediate of medieval poems, meditates on the suffering of Mary, Jesus Christ's mother, during his crucifixion.

It has been set to music by many composers, among them Haydn, Dvorák, Vivaldi, Rossini, Pergolesi, Gounod, Penderecki, Poulenc, Szymanowski, Allesandro Scarlatti, Domenico Scarlatti and Verdi.

Here is 'Ave Verum'; a beautiful movement from Karl's setting of the Stabat Mater in an arrangement for either cornet soloist or cornet duet with brass band.