British composer Sir Karl Jenkins announces tour to celebrate 80th birthday

Celebrated British composer Sir Karl Jenkins will mark his 80th birthday with a concert tour in 2024.

Acclaimed British composer Sir Karl Jenkins has announced a concert tour to celebrate his 80th birthday.

The run of shows will commence in March 2024, offering audiences the opportunity to experience the magic of his music and celebrate a lifetime of extraordinary achievement.

Presented by Raymond Gubbay Limited, the tour starts in London at the Royal Albert Hall on 10 March 10, taking in Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall on 17 March, Birmingham’s Symphony Hall on 30 March, Nottingham Royal Concert Hall on 6 April, Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff on 13 April and ending finishing at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on 14 April.

The tour promises to be an unforgettable experience as Jenkins conducts one of his most beloved works 'The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace', a composition that has touched the hearts of millions with its powerful and poignant themes and 3000 performances globally since the millennium premiere.

Audiences will also be treated to renditions of other cherished compositions such as 'Palladio', 'Adiemus"' and extracts from his new chart-topping album, 'One World', which explores themes about the state of planet Earth.

Earlier this year, 'The Armed Man' made chart history, with its acclaimed recording breaking of the 1000th week barrier in the UK Official Albums Chart. Over more than 20 years the oratorio has become a timeless classic as it continues to capture the hearts of listeners and performers around the world. The work remains a powerful and moving reflection on the horror of war and its consequences.

Also, in 2023 Jenkins' music was played at the coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey while he attained the highest position (5th) by a living composer in the Classic FM Hall of Fame. The world premiere of his sax concerto ‘Stravaganza’, composed for Jess Gillam, was premiered in Berlin.

Resisting categorization, his style and integrity has transcended musical boundaries: jazz fusion with Soft Machine; award-winning ad soundtracks; composing music for King Charles; ‘cast-away’ on Desert Island Discs; joining Melvyn Bragg on his South Bank Show, and 9 million TikTok hits! His ability to seamlessly blend classical, contemporary, and global styles has created a unique and enduring musical legacy.

Jenkins is among the most performed living composers in the world he received a knighthood in Queen Elizabeth’s 2015 Birthday Honours List.

Head to Raymondgubbay.co.uk for more information and tickets.



Sir Karl Jenkins Spring 2024 Dates

10 March Royal Albert Hall, London [Philharmonic Orchestra, Crouch End Festival Chorus]

17 March Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow [Scottish Concert Orchestra, RSNO Chorus]

30 March Symphony Hall, Birmingham [London Concert Orchestra, Canzonetta]

6 April Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham [Manchester Concert Orchestra, Canzonetta]

13 April Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff [London Concert Orchestra, Cor Caerdydd]

14 April The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester [Manchester Concert Orchestra, Manchester Chorale]