KARL JENKINS: EUPHONIUM CONCERTO
Romanza: the second movement of Karl Jenkins' Euphonium Concerto
performed by David Childs & the DCINY Orchestra, conducted by the composer, at Carnegie Hall, New York
performed by David Childs & the DCINY Orchestra, conducted by the composer, at Carnegie Hall, New York
Jenkins, Karl: Euphonium Concerto (2009)
23' for euphonium and orchestra
Scoring
2(II=picc).1.corA.2.(II=bcl).1.dbn-0.2.ttrbn.btrbn.0-timp.perc(4):sleighbells/SD/susp.cym/glsp/crot/xyl/2cast/tgl/2tamb/claves/BD(piatti attached)/sizzle.cym/finger.cyms-strings. Abbreviations (PDF).
Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.
World Premiere
25/07/2009
St David's Hall, Cardiff
David Childs, euphonium / BBC Concert Orchestra / Owain Arwel Hughes
Programme Note
1. The Juggler (With a sense of fun)
2. Romanza (Romantically)
3. "It takes two ..." (Seductively)
4. A Troika? Tidy! (With energy)
The euphonium has, for many years, been associated with the world of brass and traditional marching bands rather than that of the symphony orchestra or concert hall. Within brass bands it plays a central role, often being referred to as the cello of the band on account of its similarity in register to its stringed counterpart. In the last five years or so, these perceptions of the instrument have begun to change, largely due to the vision of one man: the young Yorkshire-born player David Childs who has done much to develop for it a new character in fitting with the twenty-first century. A major part of his campaign to win the euphonium new audiences has been to commission new pieces. One of the most important is Karl Jenkins’s Concerto, premiered in July 2009 at the Welsh Proms, Cardiff, by David Childs with the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Owain Arwel Hughes.
“Finding major composers willing to write for the instrument is the challenge,” said David Childs in an interview at the time of the premiere. “Karl’s work is very listenable, very virtuosic, typical of his style. I’m sure it will appeal to a broad musical population, which is the audience I’m trying to reach.” The Concerto was commissioned by Euphonium Foundation UK.
In bringing the instrument before a wider audience, few composers are more qualified to reach out to music lovers than Swansea-born Karl Jenkins. His music has attracted the kind of attention more often reserved for figures in the pop music business. His album Adiemus - Songs of Sanctuary was used for the 1996 Five Nations Rugby and sold more than a million copies worldwide, reaching the “Top 40”. More recently, works such as The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace and the Requiem have spoken to both choral societies and their audiences in a way that is unique in contemporary music.
The Concerto is in four movements, lasting around twenty-five minutes. The first movement, The Juggler, immediately establishes a sense of fun, graphically bringing to mind both the ease of movement and lolloping suspense of the juggler’s art. The second movement, Romanza, is an unashamedly lyrical outpouring for the soloist, initially accompanied by strings and, later, the full orchestra. The third movement, “It takes two …”, is a sultry tango-like melody with a particularly striking ending where the soloist both sings and plays the euphonium simultaneously. The work ends with A Troika. Tidy!: a galloping rhythm in the orchestra is joined by the soloist in the lowest register of the instrument in a troika (a traditional Russian dance which imitates the prancing of horses). A slow romantic episode briefly interrupts the music’s joie de vivre, out of which the soloist emerges with a cadenza of great brilliance (accompanied by two sleigh bells) leading to the Concerto’s rousing conclusion.
by Peter Reynolds
Reproduction Rights
This programme note can be reproduced free of charge in concert programmes with a credit to the author and Boosey & Hawkes.
PERFORMANCES
To date the Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto, has received more than 40 performances, in entirety or in part, by soloist David Childs. Details of these can be found below. In 2014, in celebration of the composer's 70th birthday, the concerto will form part of a recital series tour focused upon Karl's music, which David will promote across the UK and beyond. Further information on the tour can be found here
Euphonium Foundation UK is also seeking to promote additional large ensemble performances of the Jenkins Concerto. Performances already confirmed include those with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales at St David's Hall, Cardiff in September; a performance in Ravensburg, Germany in December; and the official Karl Jenkins 70th Birthday concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London, where the composer himself will conduct David and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Full information on the event can be found here
Karl Jenkins: Euphonium Concerto
Performances
25th July 2009
Last Night of the Welsh Proms
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
BBC Concert Orchestra
Soloist David Childs
Conducted by Owain Arwel Hughes OBE
19th September 2009
Ala Moana Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
The Juggler, Romanza & A Troika? Tidy from Euphonium Concerto
US Pacific Marine Band (Wind Band)
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Chief Officer Brian Sherlock
14th November 2009
Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff - Karl Jenkins Celebration Concert - S4C television broadcast
A Troika? Tidy from Euphonium Concerto
Sinfonia Cymru
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Karl Jenkins CBE
29th November 2009
Brangwyn Hall Swansea 125th Anniversary Concert
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
12th December 2009
Brangwyn Hall Swansea - BBC Radio Broadcast
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Grant Llewelyn
22nd January 2010
RNCM Festival of Brass Manchester
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
24th January 2010
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
Romanza & A Troika? Tidy from Euphonium Concerto
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
1st February 2010
St Teilo's Church Cardiff (Recording Venue)
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Recording Session for a David Childs Solo CD entitled ‘Moto Perpetuo’.
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
6th March 2010
Carnegie Hall, New York
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
DCINY promotion: ‘Music Masters of Wales’
DCINY Orchestra
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Karl Jenkins CBE
23rd March 2010
Carnegie Hall, New York
The Juggler, Romanza & A Troika? Tidy from Euphonium Concerto
New York Wind Band Festival
Cardiff County & Vale of Glamorgan Youth Wind Orchestra
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Sean O’Neill
9th April 2010
Octagon Theatre, Yeovil
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Nicholas Childs
10th April 2010
Cheltenham Town Hall
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Nicholas Childs
9th May 2010
Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Great Northern Brass Arts Festival
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
25th May 2010
Tucson, Arizona (Arizona University)
International Tuba & Euphonium Conference
The Juggler, Romanza & A Troika? Tidy from Euphonium Concerto
Salt River Brass Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Patrick Sheridan
29th May 2010
Thudine, Belgium
A Troika? Tidy from Euphonium Concerto
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
5th June 2010
Willisau 2010 Festival, Switzerland
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
20th June 2010
Novara Theatre, Sicily
The Juggler, Romanza & A Troika? Tidy from Euphonium Concerto
Messina Brass Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
25th June 2010
Emory University Atlanta USA
International Euphonium Institute
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto (draft piano version)
Solo Recital
Soloist: David Childs
Pianist: Caryl Conger
10th July 2010
Llangollen International Music Festival - S4C television broadcast
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
14th August 2010
Banbury Church
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by James Gourlay
15th August 2010
Dukes Hall - Royal Academy of Music, London
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by James Gourlay
6th November 2010
Toronto, Canada
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Hannaford Street Silver Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Alain Trudel
7th November 2010
Toronto, Canada
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Hannaford Street Silver Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Alain Trudel
9th April 2011
CBSO Centre, Birmingham
Romanza & A Troika? Tidy from Euphonium Concerto
Birmingham Symphonic Winds
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Keith Allen
17th April 2011
Lincoln Centre – New York
Romanza & A Troika? Tidy from Euphonium Concerto
Birmingham Symphonic Winds
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Keith Allen
26th June 2011
Queen Elizabeth Hall - South Bank Centre, London
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
9th July 2011
CBSO Centre Birmingham
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Birmingham Symphonic Winds
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Keith Allen
20th July 2011
Southend on Sea - Metal Festival – Solomon’s Pump House
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Euphonium & Piano – Official Premiere
Soloist: David Childs
Pianist: John Wilson
27th July 2011
Margam Orangery - Margam Festival South Wales
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
National Youth Brass Band of Wales
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Nicholas Childs
28th July 2011
Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama - Dora Stouzker Hall, Cardiff
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
National Youth Brass Band of Wales
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Nicholas Childs
27th August 2011
Drachten - Holland Brass Festival
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
28th August 2011
Royal Concertgebouw, Amsterdam - Netherlands Festival of Brass
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
2nd October 2011
Manuel Theatre - Malta
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
12th May Wind Orchestra of St Philip’s
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Hermann Farrugia Frantz
15th October 2011
Royal Albert Hall London – National Championships of Great Britain Gala Concert
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
19th March 2012
World of Sound Studios, Wellingborough
DVD Recording – Master Class in Brass
A Troika Tidy?! from Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Soloist: David Childs
Pianist: Christopher Williams
24th March 2012
Stars In Brass Concert – Belgium
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Brass Band Buizingen
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Luc Vertommen
1st July 2012
British Brass – Senzoku University Tokyo Japan
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
University Brass Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
14th July 2012
Brass Feast 2012 – The University of Western Australia, Perth
The Juggler, Romanza & A Troika? Tidy from Euphonium Concerto
Royal Agricultural Society of WA Brass Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
20th July 2012
Cosmopolitan Euphonium Tuba Workshop
Nichols College, Dudley, Massachusetts (Boston)
Boston USA – Music School Recital
Romanza from Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Soloist: David Childs
Pianist: Sanae Kanda
24th July 2012
Festival International Carlos Gomes - Sao Paulo, Brazil
Instituto de Artes da Unicamp
Romanza from Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Soloist: David Childs
Pianist: Miriam Braga
Euphonium Foundation UK is also seeking to promote additional large ensemble performances of the Jenkins Concerto. Performances already confirmed include those with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales at St David's Hall, Cardiff in September; a performance in Ravensburg, Germany in December; and the official Karl Jenkins 70th Birthday concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London, where the composer himself will conduct David and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Full information on the event can be found here
Karl Jenkins: Euphonium Concerto
Performances
25th July 2009
Last Night of the Welsh Proms
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
BBC Concert Orchestra
Soloist David Childs
Conducted by Owain Arwel Hughes OBE
19th September 2009
Ala Moana Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
The Juggler, Romanza & A Troika? Tidy from Euphonium Concerto
US Pacific Marine Band (Wind Band)
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Chief Officer Brian Sherlock
14th November 2009
Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff - Karl Jenkins Celebration Concert - S4C television broadcast
A Troika? Tidy from Euphonium Concerto
Sinfonia Cymru
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Karl Jenkins CBE
29th November 2009
Brangwyn Hall Swansea 125th Anniversary Concert
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
12th December 2009
Brangwyn Hall Swansea - BBC Radio Broadcast
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Grant Llewelyn
22nd January 2010
RNCM Festival of Brass Manchester
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
24th January 2010
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
Romanza & A Troika? Tidy from Euphonium Concerto
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
1st February 2010
St Teilo's Church Cardiff (Recording Venue)
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Recording Session for a David Childs Solo CD entitled ‘Moto Perpetuo’.
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
6th March 2010
Carnegie Hall, New York
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
DCINY promotion: ‘Music Masters of Wales’
DCINY Orchestra
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Karl Jenkins CBE
23rd March 2010
Carnegie Hall, New York
The Juggler, Romanza & A Troika? Tidy from Euphonium Concerto
New York Wind Band Festival
Cardiff County & Vale of Glamorgan Youth Wind Orchestra
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Sean O’Neill
9th April 2010
Octagon Theatre, Yeovil
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Nicholas Childs
10th April 2010
Cheltenham Town Hall
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Nicholas Childs
9th May 2010
Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Great Northern Brass Arts Festival
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
25th May 2010
Tucson, Arizona (Arizona University)
International Tuba & Euphonium Conference
The Juggler, Romanza & A Troika? Tidy from Euphonium Concerto
Salt River Brass Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Patrick Sheridan
29th May 2010
Thudine, Belgium
A Troika? Tidy from Euphonium Concerto
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
5th June 2010
Willisau 2010 Festival, Switzerland
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
20th June 2010
Novara Theatre, Sicily
The Juggler, Romanza & A Troika? Tidy from Euphonium Concerto
Messina Brass Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
25th June 2010
Emory University Atlanta USA
International Euphonium Institute
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto (draft piano version)
Solo Recital
Soloist: David Childs
Pianist: Caryl Conger
10th July 2010
Llangollen International Music Festival - S4C television broadcast
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
14th August 2010
Banbury Church
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by James Gourlay
15th August 2010
Dukes Hall - Royal Academy of Music, London
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by James Gourlay
6th November 2010
Toronto, Canada
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Hannaford Street Silver Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Alain Trudel
7th November 2010
Toronto, Canada
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Hannaford Street Silver Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Alain Trudel
9th April 2011
CBSO Centre, Birmingham
Romanza & A Troika? Tidy from Euphonium Concerto
Birmingham Symphonic Winds
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Keith Allen
17th April 2011
Lincoln Centre – New York
Romanza & A Troika? Tidy from Euphonium Concerto
Birmingham Symphonic Winds
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Keith Allen
26th June 2011
Queen Elizabeth Hall - South Bank Centre, London
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
9th July 2011
CBSO Centre Birmingham
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Birmingham Symphonic Winds
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Keith Allen
20th July 2011
Southend on Sea - Metal Festival – Solomon’s Pump House
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Euphonium & Piano – Official Premiere
Soloist: David Childs
Pianist: John Wilson
27th July 2011
Margam Orangery - Margam Festival South Wales
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
National Youth Brass Band of Wales
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Nicholas Childs
28th July 2011
Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama - Dora Stouzker Hall, Cardiff
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
National Youth Brass Band of Wales
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Nicholas Childs
27th August 2011
Drachten - Holland Brass Festival
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
28th August 2011
Royal Concertgebouw, Amsterdam - Netherlands Festival of Brass
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
2nd October 2011
Manuel Theatre - Malta
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
12th May Wind Orchestra of St Philip’s
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Hermann Farrugia Frantz
15th October 2011
Royal Albert Hall London – National Championships of Great Britain Gala Concert
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Cory Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
19th March 2012
World of Sound Studios, Wellingborough
DVD Recording – Master Class in Brass
A Troika Tidy?! from Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Soloist: David Childs
Pianist: Christopher Williams
24th March 2012
Stars In Brass Concert – Belgium
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Brass Band Buizingen
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Luc Vertommen
1st July 2012
British Brass – Senzoku University Tokyo Japan
Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
University Brass Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
14th July 2012
Brass Feast 2012 – The University of Western Australia, Perth
The Juggler, Romanza & A Troika? Tidy from Euphonium Concerto
Royal Agricultural Society of WA Brass Band
Soloist: David Childs
Conducted by Dr. Robert Childs
20th July 2012
Cosmopolitan Euphonium Tuba Workshop
Nichols College, Dudley, Massachusetts (Boston)
Boston USA – Music School Recital
Romanza from Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Soloist: David Childs
Pianist: Sanae Kanda
24th July 2012
Festival International Carlos Gomes - Sao Paulo, Brazil
Instituto de Artes da Unicamp
Romanza from Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto
Soloist: David Childs
Pianist: Miriam Braga
KARL JENKINS
A recent exhaustive survey shows that Karl Jenkins is now the most performed living composer in the world. Educated at Gowerton Grammar School, Cardiff University and the Royal Academy of Music, London, The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace alone has been performed nearly 1000 times in 20 different countries since the CD was released while his recorded output has resulted in seventeen gold and platinum disc awards.
In the field of advertising music he has won the prestigious D&AD award for best music [twice], the ‘Creative Circle Gold’ and several ‘Clios’ [New York] and ‘Golden Lions’ [Cannes]. Credits include Levi’s, British Airways, Renault, Volvos, C&G, Tag Heuer, Pepsi as well as US/global campaigns for De Beers and Delta Airlines and Bafta ‘gongs’ for his scores for the documentaries The Celts and Testament.
After this period as a media composer, his return to the music mainstream was initially marked by the success of the Adiemus project. Adiemus, combining the ‘classical’ with ethnic vocal sounds and percussion with an invented language, topped classical and ‘pop’ charts around the world.
His output includes the harp concerto ‘Over The Stone’ commissioned by HRH the Prince of Wales for the Royal Harpist, Catrin Finch, Euphonium Concerto for David Childs, the concertante ‘Quirk’, commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Sir Colin Davies as part of its 2005 centenary season, Tlep written for virtuoso violinist Marat Bisengaliev and In These Stones Horizons Sing, featuring Bryn Terfel, Catrin Finch with the WNO Orchestra & Chorus whichwas premiered at the Royal Gala opening of the Welsh Millennium Centre in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen.
In the summer of 2005 he scored the feature film, River Queen starring Kiefer Sutherland & Samantha Morton, the soundtrack of which won the Golden Goblet award for best score at the Shanghai Film Festival
His CD releases on EMI Classics include Requiem, “Kiri Sings Karl” with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa., This Land Of Ours with the Cory Band [world brass band champions]], Stabat Mater, Quirk, a collection of concertos which includes La Folia, commissioned by Dame Evelyn Glennie , Stella Natalis and Gloria, premiered by a chorus of 2,500 at the RAH in July 2010.
In 2004 he entered Classic FM’s ‘Hall of Fame” at no 8., the highest position for a living composer and has since been the highest placed living composer, as well as, in 2006, no. 4 amongst British composers.
2012 saw Karl release "The Peacemakers " CD on EMI Classics , a number one on the UK Classical Charts and after it's concert performance debut at New York's Carnegie Hall , was performed on a sell out UK concert tour in Manchester , Birmingham , Cardiff , Dublin and London's Royal Festival Hall with the composer conducting .
Karl has recently signed to Deutsche Grammophon Records , his first release is a return to Adiemus , titled "Colores " , it has a Latin theme and features performances from Rolando Villazon , Portuguese Fado singer Cuca Roseta , guitarist Milos Karadaglic , Pacho Flores trumpet , and the Adiemus Singers from Finland . It is released in June 2013 .
Karl holds a D.Mus [Doctor of Music] degree from the University of Wales, has been made both a Fellow and an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, where a room has been named in his honour, and has fellowships at Cardiff University, Swansea University, the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Trinity College Carmarthen, Swansea Metropolitan University and was also presented by Classic FM with the ‘Red f ‘award for ‘outstanding service to classical music’
He has been the subject of the ITV South Bank Show by Lord [Melvyn] Bragg as well as being a ‘castaway’ on ‘Desert Island Discs’ , and had a BBC documentary made on his place as the most performed living composer , with endorsements from Bryn Terfel , Kiri Te Kanawa and Terry Waite amongst many others .
Further awards include an honorary doctorate of music from the University of Leicester, the Chancellors Medal from the University of Glamorgan and two Honorary visiting Professorships, one at Thames Valley University/London College of Music and the other at the ATriUM, Cardiff. In November 2009 he was given the Cymru For The World Award and in March 2010 was honoured with the Hopkins Medal given by the St. David’s Society for the State of New York.
He was awarded an OBE, by Her Majesty The Queen, in the 2005 New Year’s Honours List and a CBE in the 2010 Birthday Honours List “for services to music”.
In the field of advertising music he has won the prestigious D&AD award for best music [twice], the ‘Creative Circle Gold’ and several ‘Clios’ [New York] and ‘Golden Lions’ [Cannes]. Credits include Levi’s, British Airways, Renault, Volvos, C&G, Tag Heuer, Pepsi as well as US/global campaigns for De Beers and Delta Airlines and Bafta ‘gongs’ for his scores for the documentaries The Celts and Testament.
After this period as a media composer, his return to the music mainstream was initially marked by the success of the Adiemus project. Adiemus, combining the ‘classical’ with ethnic vocal sounds and percussion with an invented language, topped classical and ‘pop’ charts around the world.
His output includes the harp concerto ‘Over The Stone’ commissioned by HRH the Prince of Wales for the Royal Harpist, Catrin Finch, Euphonium Concerto for David Childs, the concertante ‘Quirk’, commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Sir Colin Davies as part of its 2005 centenary season, Tlep written for virtuoso violinist Marat Bisengaliev and In These Stones Horizons Sing, featuring Bryn Terfel, Catrin Finch with the WNO Orchestra & Chorus whichwas premiered at the Royal Gala opening of the Welsh Millennium Centre in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen.
In the summer of 2005 he scored the feature film, River Queen starring Kiefer Sutherland & Samantha Morton, the soundtrack of which won the Golden Goblet award for best score at the Shanghai Film Festival
His CD releases on EMI Classics include Requiem, “Kiri Sings Karl” with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa., This Land Of Ours with the Cory Band [world brass band champions]], Stabat Mater, Quirk, a collection of concertos which includes La Folia, commissioned by Dame Evelyn Glennie , Stella Natalis and Gloria, premiered by a chorus of 2,500 at the RAH in July 2010.
In 2004 he entered Classic FM’s ‘Hall of Fame” at no 8., the highest position for a living composer and has since been the highest placed living composer, as well as, in 2006, no. 4 amongst British composers.
2012 saw Karl release "The Peacemakers " CD on EMI Classics , a number one on the UK Classical Charts and after it's concert performance debut at New York's Carnegie Hall , was performed on a sell out UK concert tour in Manchester , Birmingham , Cardiff , Dublin and London's Royal Festival Hall with the composer conducting .
Karl has recently signed to Deutsche Grammophon Records , his first release is a return to Adiemus , titled "Colores " , it has a Latin theme and features performances from Rolando Villazon , Portuguese Fado singer Cuca Roseta , guitarist Milos Karadaglic , Pacho Flores trumpet , and the Adiemus Singers from Finland . It is released in June 2013 .
Karl holds a D.Mus [Doctor of Music] degree from the University of Wales, has been made both a Fellow and an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, where a room has been named in his honour, and has fellowships at Cardiff University, Swansea University, the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Trinity College Carmarthen, Swansea Metropolitan University and was also presented by Classic FM with the ‘Red f ‘award for ‘outstanding service to classical music’
He has been the subject of the ITV South Bank Show by Lord [Melvyn] Bragg as well as being a ‘castaway’ on ‘Desert Island Discs’ , and had a BBC documentary made on his place as the most performed living composer , with endorsements from Bryn Terfel , Kiri Te Kanawa and Terry Waite amongst many others .
Further awards include an honorary doctorate of music from the University of Leicester, the Chancellors Medal from the University of Glamorgan and two Honorary visiting Professorships, one at Thames Valley University/London College of Music and the other at the ATriUM, Cardiff. In November 2009 he was given the Cymru For The World Award and in March 2010 was honoured with the Hopkins Medal given by the St. David’s Society for the State of New York.
He was awarded an OBE, by Her Majesty The Queen, in the 2005 New Year’s Honours List and a CBE in the 2010 Birthday Honours List “for services to music”.
In 2014 Karl Jenkins will celebrate his 70th birthday. In honour of this milestone, euphonium virtuoso David Childs, in conjunction with Euphonium Foundation UK, will be promoting widespread performances of the Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto along with a recital series of the composer's works throughout 2014. Further information on the Karl Jenkins 70 tour can be found here