Karl Jenkins looking forward to Llangollen Eisteddfod

Jun 3 2009

INFLUENTIAL instrumentalist Karl Jenkins says he is looking forward to crossing cultures next month when he oversees one of the region’s biggest musical events.

The Welsh wonder behind the Adiemus project is taking on the role of Day President at Llangollen’s International Musical Eisteddfod on Friday, July 10, and says he is looking forward to a crossover of cultures which will both excite and inspire.

"This Eisteddfod is such a big event and brings so many different cultures together, which I’m really looking forward to. From a social point, it’s fantastic," he says.

"I’ve been a couple of times before and know that it’s a beautiful place with a character all of its own but I’ve never been actively involved before, so I’m honoured to be taking part."

Mr Jenkins, who was born in Penclawdd, near Swansea, says the role will preview him playing a much larger part in the 2010 Eisteddfod, where he promises one of his major works will be played to audiences at the town’s Royal International Pavilion.

"I can’t say which piece it will be yet, because I don’t know myself yet which one to choose, but what I can say is it will be one of my major works, and because of the international feel of the Eisteddfod, I’d like to use a choir from across the world, with an ethnic feel" he adds.

"It could be the Adiemus project was and still is a major success right across the globe, and is extremely well travelled, so it could be that one. It’s a work I’m very proud of."

Mr Jenkins, who can also lay claim to having worked with bands including Soft Machine and Nucleus alongside a long line of works recorded under his own name, says that although similar events exist elsewhere around the globe, the Llangollen Eisteddfod is unique to the UK and plays a hugely important role.

"It’s great to be part of a festival which encourages this sort of cultural collaboration. Music is a huge part of everyone’s life, and has been ever since the first men learned to make their own sounds," he says.

"It’s a universal talent, which is why I like to avoid putting my own music into any particular category or box. You have to try and reach out to other cultures to get to the innate spirit of music, and I think that the Llangollen Eisteddfod does a great job in that."

Mr Jenkins remains busy after the Eisteddfod with performances throughout this year, and work on a Christmas album which he says will embrace the festive season with a new cultural twist. Yet despite his four decades of longstanding creativity, he shows no signs of retiring from music yet.

"It’s a job and it isn’t always pleasurable, but music is something you don’t retire from," he says.

"There are dark days, but I’ve always enjoyed doing what I do, and it’s definitely worth doing."

Tickets to the Friday events at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, held at the town’s Royal International Pavilion, start from £9.

For more information contact 01978 862001 or visit www.llangollen2009.com