On Air Now
Early Breakfast with Lucy Coward 4am - 6:30am
You might know of Karl Jenkins, composer, but he's also a brilliant conductor. We were treated to his conducting talents at Classic FM Live, where he performed 'Benedictus' from 'The Armed Man' on stage at the Royal Albert Hall.
Karl had time for a quick photograph with presenter Tim Lihoreau. Picture: Richard Johnson
Karl spoke very modestly about his wonderful music, including 'Palladio', 'Benedictus', and 'Adiemus'. Picture: Richard Johnson
Sitting in the Nissan Note car seats, Karl said he couldn't tell which pieces would be universally loved when he wrote them. He said: "I didn't think they'd connect with people as much as they have." Picture: Richard Johnson
Conducting his much-loved favourite, 'Benedictus' from 'The Armed Man' mass, Karl returned to the stage at the Royal Albert Hall. The piece was premiered on this very stage back in 2000. Picture: Richard Johnson
Karl Jenkins makes eye contact with the Crouch End Festival Chorus to ensure they express the delicate emotions in the music. Picture: Richard Johnson
Every eye is on Karl, from the audience and from the orchestra, as he conducts the spine-tingling music. It was composed as part of his 'anti-war' mass, 'The Armed Man', which combines text from the Catholic liturgy and a French folk song, 'L'homme armé'. Picture: Richard Johnson
The singers brought out every nuance of the Latin text: "Benedictus qui venit in nomine domini, Hosanna in excelsis." (Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.) Picture: Matt Crossick/PA
'Benedictus' is a firm favourite among Classic FM listeners, so it was a perfect choice on our 20th birthday Classic FM Live concert programme. In 2008 'The Armed Man' was listed as No. 1 in Classic FM's "Top 10 by living composers" list. Picture: Matt Crossick/PA
This year, 'The Armed Man' is at No. 12 in the Classic FM Hall of Fame. Picture: Matt Crossick/PA
Karl Jenkins signals to the orchestra as the audience applaud the spell-binding performance. Picture: Richard Johnson