2024 CONCERTS

UN CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
MUSIC FOR PEACE
CONCERT & ALBUM LAUNCH
ON THE OBSERVANCE OF THE MONTH OF FRENCH LANGUAGE DAY & INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

Dedicated to the WORK of Nobel Peace Prize winner,
Dr. Denis Mukwege
For his efforts in the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Watch the performance: United Nations
UN Global YouTube:  https://youtu.be/F-fYcahc2Uc

UN Web TV: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k13/k1358empmj

Sunday, 31 March 2024
9:00am EST (New York Time)

On Sunday, 31 March 2024, to close out the month of French Language Day and International Women’s Day, the UN Chamber Music Society will be launching MUSIC FOR PEACE - a musical exploration promoting reflection, healing, and a commitment to the ideals of the United Nations.  Dedicated to ending violence against women and girls, the album honors Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege's tireless efforts. 

Denis Mukwege grew up in the town of Bukavu in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He trained as a doctor and became a gynecologist after studying in France.  In 1999, he established the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, where he and his staff have treated the injuries of thousands of women victims of sexual violence.  Many millions of people have been killed, abused or forced to flee in the civil wars that have ravaged the DRC since the 1990s. All parties to the conflict have used the rape of women as a weapon to humiliate and weaken their opponents.  Dr. Mukwege has become one of the world’s leading experts on the treatment of internal injuries suffered by women subjected to gang rape. He has carried out countless operations, working long days of up to 18 hours. Quite remarkably, and as a testament to his fundamental human spirit, he was in the operating room when he was told that he had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

On this occasion of the launch of MUSIC FOR PEACE, opening messages will be delivered by H.E. Mr. Nicolas de Rivière, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations; Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and Dr. Denis Mukwege, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

Available on all the digital streaming platforms worldwide, MUSIC FOR PEACE features the piano legend Jerome Lowenthal – a virtuoso of the fingers and the emotions, and who has served as the piano chair of the Juilliard School.  It also features moving performances by baritone Pacifique Bagalwa N'Nobuko, violinist Hana Mundiya, and pianist Brenda Vongova.  Founded in 2016, the UN Chamber Music Society is dedicated to promoting the United Nations’ goals and values at large - through the universal language of music.

Learn more and support the work of Dr. Denis Mukwege:
https://panzifoundation.org
 

PROGRAMME

Opening Remarks

H.E. Mr. Nicolas de Rivière
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations

Pramila Patten
Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict
 

Dr. Denis Mukwege
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

 

UN Chamber Music Society
of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council
Brenda Vongova, Artistic Director

Featuring
Jerome Lowenthal, Pianist
Pacifique Bagalwa N’Nobuko, Baritone Opera Singer from the DRC ● Hana Mundiya, Violinist

Music Programme
 

GABRIEL FAURE  (1845 - 1924)  Les Berceaux, Op.23, No.1 (Poème: Sully Prudhomme)
Pacifique Bagalwa N’Nobuko (Baritone), Brenda Vongova (Piano)


GABRIEL FAURE  (1845 - 1924) Dolly, Op. 56
I. Berceuse
II. Miaou
III. Le Jardin de Dolly
IV. Ketty-Valse
V. Tendresse
VI. Le pas Espagnol
Jerome Lowenthal (Piano), Brenda Vongova (Piano)


GABRIEL FAURE  (1845 - 1924)  Violin Sonata No.1 in A Major, Op. 13: II. Andante

Hana Mundiya (Violin), Brenda Vongova (Piano)

 

SPECIAL THANKS

UN Department of Global Communications

Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations

UN Office of Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict

Jerome Lowenthal

Klavierhaus
James Wu, Recording Engineer

Firas Kayal
Ziad Ayad

Alexandre Mirlesse

Sonita Alizadeh, Page Turner

Baramee Pholpipattanaphong

VERY SPECIAL THANKS

Audio Production: Evergroove Studios
Mixing Engineer: Athena Wilkinson

Immersive Mixing Engineer: Athena Wilkinson

Mastering Engineer: Brad Smalling

Immersive Mastering Engineer: Brad Smalling

Video Editing
Rebecca Dixuan Bai, Video Editor

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Listen to the entire album on Spotify, iTunes/Apple Music, YouTube Music,
Amazon, Deezer, Tidal, Facebook / Instagram
and all the major music distribution platforms worldwide.

Hosted by the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations

un chamber music society
performance at the observance of
International Mother Language Day

21 February 2024
4:00pm to 6:00pm EST 
United Nations Headquarter, CR-4


Watch the EVENT on: UNITED NATIONS
UN Web TV
https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1w/k1w2te2nrh

On 21 February 2024, the UN Chamber Music Society will perform during the Observance of International Mother Language Day (IMLD).  The event will be hosted by the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations, in collaboration with the Permanent Missions of Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Romania, and South Africa to the United Nations, in collaboration with the UN Secretariat and the UNESCO.

The theme of this year’s International Mother Language Day is “Multilingual education is the foundation of lifelong learning”. Today, 40% of the world’s population does not have access to education in a language they speak or understand. In some countries this figure rises to over 90%. Yet research shows that the use of learners’ own language(s) in schools provides a solid foundation for learning, boosts self-esteem and critical thinking skills, and opens the door for inter-generational learning, language revitalization, and the preservation of culture and intangible heritage. This year’s celebration of International Mother Language Day is meant to highlight the importance of implementing multilingual education policies and practices as a pillar to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4.

The music programme will reflect on our diverse elements – through the universal language of music.  It will honour multilingualism, by featuring musical styles inspired by poetry from Bangladesh, the USA, the UK, and Africa – including music repertoire composed by 2x Grammy Award winner, Christopher Tin.  Founded in 2016 by Brenda Vongova, the UN Chamber Music Society is dedicated to promoting the UN goals at large - through the universal language of music. 
 

MESSAGES

Welcome remarks by H.E. Mr. Muhammad A. Muhith, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh

Statement by H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the UN General Assembly

Music Programme

UN Chamber Music Society
of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council
Brenda Vongova, Artistic Director & Piano

Brianne Morgan-Silver, Mezzo-Soprano
Hana Mundiya, Violin
Florrie Marshall, Violin
Noémie Chemali, Viola
Jakob Taylor, Cello

SWAHILI
"Baba Yetu" from Calling All Dawns (arr. for the UN Chamber Music Society)
Tristan Siegel (Violin I), Naoko Nakajima (Violin II), Jeremy Kienbaum (Viola), Derek Louie (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)
Composed by 2x Grammy winner Christopher Tin

Music inspired by 19^th Century female poets:
Emily Dickinson (USA), Edna St. Vincent Millay (USA), Sara Teasdale (USA), Christina Rossetti (UK)
'Flocks a Mile Wide' from The Lost Birds (arr. Piano Quintet)
Tristan Siegel (Violin I), Naoko Nakajima (Violin II), Jeremy Kienbaum (Viola), Derek Louie (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)
Composed by 2x Grammy winner Christopher Tin

BANGLADESH / Bangla
"Praan"
[Lyrics adapted from the poem "Stream of Life" from Gitanjali by RABINDRANATH TAGORE (1861 - 1941)]
Valeriya Chibisova (Singer), Tristan Siegel (Violin I), Naoko Nakajima (Violin II), Jeremy Kienbaum (Viola), Derek Louie (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)
Composed by Garry Schyman