09/04/2026
🕊 “I am deeply honoured to learn that ‘The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace’ has been voted Britain’s favourite piece of classical music in the 2026 Classic FM Hall of Fame.
To become the first living composer to reach the number one position is profoundly humbling and gratifying, and to some degree I’m taken aback, especially when I reflect on the great masters, past and present, that sit below me on this list.
As the cliché says, we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before, and I cherish the fact that through my music, I have introduced many new devotees to the great composers of the genre.
As I look back with great fondness to the premiere in 2000 at the first ever Classic FM concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall, I’m delighted that this piece has found resonance globally with so many of you over the years.”
- Sir Karl Jenkins, 2026 –
Karl Jenkins takes to the conductor’s rostrum for a UK tour of ‘The Armed Man’, opening in Nottingham on Sunday 19 April, with dates following in Liverpool, London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow and Manchester.
🎟️ Book your tickets here (last few remaining for some shows!): https://bit.ly/4qCsr6v
📷 Classic FM/ Matt Crossick
