Music that breathes peace into the world
In an age marked by conflict, division and uncertainty, Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant Us Peace) offers a powerful musical reflection on humanity’s enduring hope for reconciliation, compassion and healing.
This moving concert traces a timeless plea for peace across centuries, cultures and musical styles. From the classical elegance of Haydn and Mozart to the spiritual depth of Bach and Schubert, and from the evocative Nordic lyricism of Grieg to the contemporary voices of Karl Jenkins and Pēteris Vasks, each work speaks to the universal longing for a world free from conflict.
While composed in vastly different eras, these composers respond to remarkably similar human experiences. Karl Jenkins, whose music has become synonymous with remembrance and reconciliation, writes with an unmistakable humanity that transcends borders and beliefs. Latvian composer Pēteris Vasks, whose life was shaped by Soviet occupation and oppression, reminds us that peace is not simply the absence of war, but the presence of justice, compassion and shared humanity. Haydn and Mozart wrote during periods of political upheaval in Europe, while Bach’s sacred music offers solace amid suffering. Schubert’s luminous choral writing expresses hope; and Grieg’s music reflects the beauty and fragility of the human spirit.
At the heart of the concert is the ancient prayer, repeated throughout Christian liturgy for centuries: Dona nobis pacem—Grant us peace. Today, those words resonate with renewed urgency as conflict continues to devastate communities, displace millions and challenge our collective sense of hope.
Dona Nobis Pacem promises an evening of beauty, contemplation and inspiration—a musical offering that speaks as powerfully to today’s world as it has across generations.
