Page 230 - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Coverage Book 2023-24
P. 230
11 March 2024
Noble intentions but turgid music from Karl
Jenkins at the Albert Hall, plus the best of
March’s classical concerts
He has good ideas, and the packed house seemed to love him, but the static harmonies, obvious
symbolism and slow tempi swiftly palled
Ivan Hewett, CHIEF CLASSICAL CRITIC and Nicholas Kenyon, CHIEF OPERA CRITIC11 March
2024 • 11:04am
Karl Jenkins CREDIT: Huw John/Shutterstock
Karl Jenkins’s 80th Birthday Concert, Royal Albert Hall ★★★☆☆
Composer Karl Jenkins is now so famous he can be the subject of social media fantasies. Last May
when he was spotted at the King’s coronation (having composed a piece for it), he was declared on
X to be Meghan Markle in disguise, or possibly half of Ant & Dec.
But in truth, Jenkins doesn’t need the pinheads of social media to boost his profile. According to
Classic FM’s Hall of Fame, he is the most popular living classical composer, and his bestsellers
such as Adiemus and the The Mass for Peace have racked up a billion YouTube hits. He has also
stormed the heartlands of classical music, with a concerto recently premiered in Berlin’s
Philharmonie.
