INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed Welsh composer Sir Karl Jenkins believes the message at the heart of his major choral and orchestral work, One World, has never been more relevant, as conflict, climate change and political division continue to shape our world.
Sir Karl was speaking on a visit to Llangollen and Corwen Railway, where he and his wife Lady Carol Jenkins travelled on the awarding-winning heritage railway.
The composer, who is President of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for 2026, will conduct One World at Tuesday’s opening concert, Uniting Nations: One World. The work explores the challenges of a fractured world while offering a hopeful vision of peace, equality and respect for the planet.
Earlier this year, Sir Karl’s anti-war masterpiece, The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, was voted the nation’s favourite classical work in the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026. Based on the 15th-century French poem L’homme armé, the work has been performed thousands of times around the world over the past quarter of a century and remains one of the most powerful musical reflections on the devastating consequences of war.
Reflecting on the enduring importance of music’s message of peace, Sir Karl said: “One World is really about peace and goodwill in the world, and I don’t think that message has ever been more relevant than it is today. We live in challenging times, but music has an extraordinary ability to bring people together, to inspire hope and remind us of our shared humanity.
“I’m also delighted to be back in Llangollen as President of the Eisteddfod. It is always a very special place, and I’d like to thank everyone at the Llangollen and Corwen Railway for their wonderful hospitality and for inviting Carol and me to enjoy such a memorable journey through the beautiful Dee Valley.”
Sir Karl and his wife, Lady Carol Jenkins, are spending the week in Llangollen ahead of the opening of the Eisteddfod. On Sunday, they enjoyed a special steam journey on the Llangollen & Corwen Railway at the invitation of Trust Manager David Hennigan, taking in the spectacular scenery of the Dee Valley before a busy week of engagements.
During the visit, Sir Karl spoke of his excitement at returning to Llangollen to conduct One World. The concert, which was postponed in 2025 due to circumstances beyond the control of the Eisteddfod, returns this year thanks to the support of Arts Council of Wales, giving audiences the opportunity to experience a performance many have been waiting a year to see.
The opening night concert promises to be one of the highlights of this year’s festival. Alongside One World, audiences will enjoy a full staging of Peace Child: The Musical and the world premiere of Greeting the Dawn, a newly commissioned bilingual work by emerging Welsh composer Sam Buttler.
Dave Danford, Artistic Director of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: “Sir Karl’s music has always carried a message of peace, hope and humanity, values that have been at the heart of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod since its foundation almost 80 years ago.
“The fact that The Armed Man has just been voted the nation’s favourite classical work is testament to its enduring relevance and emotional impact. It reminds us that music has a unique power to unite people across borders, cultures and generations.
“We are incredibly proud to welcome Sir Karl back to Llangollen as our President and to finally present One World to audiences following last year’s postponement. Thanks to the support of Arts Council of Wales, this extraordinary concert can now take its rightful place at the opening of the festival.
“At a time when the world faces so many challenges, the message of One World could not be more timely. It is a powerful reminder that music can inspire hope, encourage understanding and bring people together – exactly what the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has been doing since 1947.”
Founded in the aftermath of the Second World War, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod was created to promote peace and international friendship through music. Nearly 80 years later, those founding ideals remain at the heart of the festival, making Sir Karl Jenkins’ presidency and the themes explored in One World a fitting centrepiece for Eisteddfod 2026.
Uniting Nations: One World takes place on Tuesday, July 7 at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.
For more information and tickets, visit: llangollen.net
