Harmony Unites: UN Chamber Music Society Virtual…

A massive humanitarian operation continues, and the UN and its partners are rapidly ramping up efforts to provide life-saving assistance.  The United Nations is on the ground to deliver emergency relief items – including food, medicine, water, fuel, shelter, blankets, hygiene kits, and other humanitarian aid. Music binds us together in these darkest moments.  Through compassion, the musicians of UN Chamber Music Society, under the Artistic Direction of Brenda Vongova – together with violinist Yamen Saadi, Concertmaster at the Vienna Philharmonic and West-Eastern Divan Orchestra (founded by Maestro Daniel Barenboim and the late literary scholar Edward Said to promote coexistence and intercultural dialogue); and violinist David Strongin, from the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra – will perform a concert to support the Middle East.  Opening remarks will be delivered by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, Melissa Fleming, and Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). All donations will be directed to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), in support of the UN's relief efforts to provide lifesaving assistance in the face of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the Middle East. Founded in 2016 by Brenda Vongova, the UN Chamber Music Society carries out the United Nations' mission of peace, understanding and cooperation, through the universal language of music.  -----------------------------------

Messages:

• Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications
• Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) (TBC)

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

Featuring: Musicians from the West–Eastern Divan Orchestra

Music Programme:

• ERNEST BLOCH (1880 - 1959)  Baal Shem: II. Nigun David Strongin (Violin), Brenda Vongova (Piano)
• MOHAMMED FLAYFEL (1899 - 1986) Mawtini Hana Mundiya (Violinist), Naoko Nakajima (Violinist), Florrie Marshall (Violist), Jakob Taylor (Cellist), Brenda Vongova (Piano)
• GABRIEL FAURE  (1845 - 1924)  Les Berceaux Yamen Saadi (Violin), Brenda Vongova (Piano)

Special Thanks:

• UN Department of Global Communications
• Ziad Ayad
• Mohammed Shaker
• Klavierhaus, James Wu, Recording Engineer
• Recording of Bloch's Nigun: High Line Nine
• Christina Maxwell, Manager.
• Artist Kyle Meyer, represented by Yossi Milo Gallery
• Rebecca Dixuan Bai, Video Editor