Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

In the Beginning

Donald Macleod talks to multi-instrumentalist and composer Sir Karl Jenkins on the eve of his 80th birthday.

Donald Macleod talks to multi-instrumentalist and composer Sir Karl Jenkins on the eve of his 80th birthday.

Karl Jenkins has had a career of contrasts – from accomplished jazz fusion, prog rock and the worlds of film and advertising, to phenomenal success in concert halls around the world as a composer of music that delights audiences and often defies categorisation; music that is rhythmic, emotional – and hugely popular: he just might be the most performed living composer in the world.

In these special programmes Karl Jenkins joins Donald Macleod to talk about his life and music, beginning today with his latest large-scale work One World and his musical origins in the village of Penclawdd on the Gower peninsula in south Wales.

Benedictus
Polyphony
Stephen Layton, conductor

In the Beginning, from One World
World Choir for Peace & World Orchestra for Peace
Karl Jenkins, conductor

Let’s Go (The Tower of Babel), from One World
World Choir for Peace & World Orchestra for Peace
Stay at 91Èȱ¬ Choir
Karl Jenkins, conductor

Yet, Here I Am, from One World
World Choir for Peace & World Orchestra for Peace
Karl Jenkins, conductor

Sarakiz
iii Dance
Marat Bisenaliev, violin
London Symphony Orchestra
Karl Jenkins, conductor

Stabat Mater
ii Incantation
iii Vidit Jesum In Tormentis
xii Paradisi Gloria
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra & Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir
Karl Jenkins, conductor
EMO Ensemble
Pasi Hyökki, conductor
Jurgita Adamonyte, mezzo-soprano
Jody K. Jenkins, percussion
Belinda Sykes, vocals & mey

Tikkun Olam, from One World
Kathryn Rudge, mezzo-soprano
Krzysztof Wisniewski, violin
Valentino Worlitzsch, cello

59 minutes

Last on

Mon 12 Feb 2024 12:00

More episodes

Previous

You are at the first episode

See all episodes from Composer of the Week

Music Played

  • Karl Jenkins

    Benedictus

    Choir: Polyphony. Conductor: Stephen Layton.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON : 479 3232.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
    • 4.
  • Karl Jenkins

    One World: In the Beginning; Let's Go

    Choir: World Choir for Peace. Choir: Stay at 91Èȱ¬ Choir. Orchestra: World Orchestra for Peace. Conductor: Karl Jenkins.
    • DECCA : 483-974 8.
    • DECCA.
    • 1.
  • Karl Jenkins

    One World: Yet, Here I Am

    Choir: World Choir for Peace. Orchestra: World Orchestra for Peace.
    • DECCA : 483-974 8.
    • DECCA.
    • 6.
  • Karl Jenkins

    Sarikiz (3rd mvt, Dance)

    Performer: Marat Bisengaliev. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Karl Jenkins.
    • DECCA : 481-788-1.
    • DECCA.
    • 3.
  • Karl Jenkins

    Stabat Mater (excerpts)

    Performer: Jody K Jenkins. Singer: Jurgita Adamonyte. Choir: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir. Orchestra: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Karl Jenkins. Singer: Belinda Sykes.
    • EMI : 500 283-2.
    • EMI.
    • 2.
  • Karl Jenkins

    One World: Tikkun Olam

    Performer: Krzysztof Wisniewski. Performer: Valentino Worlitzsch. Singer: Kathryn Rudge.
    • DECCA : 483-974 8.
    • DECCA.
    • 9.

Broadcast

  • Mon 12 Feb 2024 12:00

Vaughan Williams Today

Vaughan Williams Today

Programmes, concerts and features celebrating Vaughan Williams's 150th anniversary.

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.