Sir Karl Jenkins Conducts The Armed Man

Sir Karl Jenkins Conducts The Armed Man
Bridgewater Hall, MCR

26th September 2026, 15:00

I had been hearing some hype about Sir Karl Jenkins headlining a day at the Llangollen Eisteddfod. I forget whether it was this summer or last, but, in any case, I decided, with reluctance, that it wasn't quite within my budget and schedule. Llangollen is one of my absolute favourite places to spend the day, but I had done so for four consecutive summers between 2021 and 2024. 

When I later spotted a Bridgewater Hall date, I snapped it up. Much easier to get to. It has been a while since I have been at this venue, but I have witnessed some greats here over the years, those coming to mind including Norah Jones, Joan Baez, and Tommy Emmanuel. 

Sir KJ is a curiosity to me. A highly-celebrated living composer, his appearance belies his reputation. The Jeff Lynne of classical. Indeed, he always looks to me like he would not be averse to toking a crafty spliff at half time.

Regardless, his popularity within the Classic FM listenership is unquestionable - he gets nearly as much air time as Einaudi, I think. He is popular, but is he good? A dear old friend of mine has a saying: "Just because something is popular, doesn't mean it's good. McDonalds is popular..."

Kick off is at 3pm, and I get to Manchester Oxford Road train station with about an hour to spare. Get a Yorkie and a packed of Cheddar & Red Onion crisps from the bar, then sit cross-legged on the floor eating them and reading the £5 programme. 

As long as he does Palladio, I'll be happy. 

I take my seat which is just left of the choir. I am very pleased with the vantage of the hall, the choir, and the instrumentalists. And the fact that Sir Karl and I will be facing each other as he conducts. 

Like all the great acts, he gets it out of the way and gives us what we all want. Palladio is played, and there is something about hearing it live - with Sir Karl himself waving the baton - that electrifies the experience. For me, it brought back remnants of hearing Paul McCartney playing Beatles songs, when I saw him live in Liverpool in 2015.

But this show is The Armed Man, which is a mass with a deep topic of war. I wasn't too sure whether I would 'get it.' But I'm pleased to say that I did, and it was most excellent. The man deserves his bounty of accolades. Some of the movements I was familiar with, and others not. I am not going to try and explain here what the piece was about - I have my souvenir programme notes for that. But I will just mention that a highlight for me, musically, was the part where he integrated the tune of The Last Post into the work, and particularly how he rejoined it, hauntingly. A very effective device. I was also taken by the interlude of Arabic singing. From the programme notes I believe this was performed by Osama Kiwan, and a pin drop could be heard during his stage time.

A standing ovation was received on conclusion of the afternoon and, in my opinion, fully deserved for everyone involved. I may well be back for Sir Karl's Christmas show here in December.