Symffoni’r Môr Mawr – A Transatlantic Symphony

Symffoni’r Môr Mawr – A Transatlantic Symphony is a 15-minute orchestral work with voices by multi-award-winning composer Katie Jenkins, originally from Pontypridd and now based in New York. 

Written in the two languages of Wales, the piece celebrates the enduring relationship between Wales and the United States through music, poetry, language and choral tradition.

Across three movements, the symphony traces the journey of Welsh settlers to America, celebrates the cultural ties that continue to connect both nations, and looks to the future with a message of community, heritage and renewal.

The project draws on Wales’s identity as the Land of Song and on the long tradition of cultural gifts exchanged between nations. It offers a contemporary musical expression of friendship between Wales and America as the United States marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence. 

 

The original recording of the symphony brought together an exceptional cast of Welsh and international talent including Sir Bryn Terfel, internationally acclaimed pianist and GRAMMY Award performer Chloe Flower, National Poet of Wales Hanan Issa, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Pendyrus Male Voice Choir, CF1 x Côr Ifor Bach and award-winning soprano Ellen Williams.

It shines a light on the rich Welsh-American story and on contemporary Welsh creativity, drawing on the colours of Welsh song and the energy of America’s musical traditions. By sharing the score widely, Wales invites choirs and communities to make the work their own and to add their voices to the continuing story of friendship across the Atlantic.