Concert & Album Launch: UN Music Chamber Society Celebrates Women & French Language Day

On Sunday, 31 March, to close out the month of French Language Day and International Women’s Day, the UN Chamber Music Society will be launching the MUSIC FOR PEACE album featuring works by renowned composer and pianist Gabriel Fauré, dedicated to helping to eliminate violence against women and girls. 

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On this occasion, to help combat sexual violence against women and girls, the UN Chamber Music Society will dedicate this album to the tireless efforts of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege, who has bravely committed his life to helping to eliminate violence against women.  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.

MUSIC FOR PEACE is an album which serves as a catalyst for reflection, healing and renewed commitment to he ideals of the United Nations.  It 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.  Founded in 2016 by Brenda Vongova, 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; 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)