Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

February 17, 1944 in Penclawdd, Gower, Wales

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Film

 

Karl Jenkins is a Welsh composer and musician who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. Born on February 17, 1944, in Penclawdd, Wales, Jenkins grew up in a musical family. His father was a choirmaster and his mother was a pianist, and they encouraged their son's musical interests from an early age. Jenkins began his musical education at the University of Wales, Cardiff, where he studied music and played in the university orchestra. After completing his studies, he joined the National Youth Orchestra of Wales as a percussionist and later became a member of the jazz-rock band Nucleus. In the 1970s, Jenkins began working as a composer and arranger for television and film. He composed music for popular British television shows such as "The Onedin Line" and "Doctor Who," as well as for films such as "The Snow Goose" and "The Missionary." Jenkins' breakthrough as a classical composer came in 1994 with the release of his album "Adiemus: Songs of Sanctuary." The album, which featured a blend of classical and world music influences, became a commercial success and earned Jenkins international recognition. The title track, "Adiemus," became a hit single and was used in several television commercials and films. Jenkins continued to compose music in a similar style, blending classical, world, and jazz influences. He has composed several large-scale works, including "The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace," which was commissioned by the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds to mark the millennium. The work, which features texts from various religious and secular sources, has become one of Jenkins' most popular and frequently performed compositions. Another notable work by Jenkins is "Requiem," which was commissioned by the Welsh Rugby Union to commemorate the centenary of the Welsh Rugby Union's first international match. The work features texts in Welsh and Latin and includes a setting of the Welsh national anthem. Jenkins has also composed several works for orchestra, including "Palladio," which was inspired by the architecture of the Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. The work has been used in several television commercials and films, including the 2000 film "The Diamond Men." In addition to his work as a composer, Jenkins has also been active as a conductor and performer. He has conducted several orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and has performed as a soloist on the oboe and saxophone. Jenkins has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. He was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 2005 for services to music, and in 2010 he was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for services to music. He has also been awarded several honorary degrees from universities in the UK and abroad. Jenkins' music continues to be popular and widely performed around the world. His unique blend of classical, world, and jazz influences has earned him a reputation as one of the most innovative and influential composers of his generation.

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