English Language Day 2022; April 23rd.

"Honoring William Shakespeare " English Language Day 2022.

He then wrote mainly tragedies until 1608, among them Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, all considered to be among the finest works in the English language.

EVENTS

Presented by the UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council

 

UN CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
MUSIC THERAPY CONCERT
WITH CLASSICAL PIANIST JEROME LOWENTHAL

WEILL RECITAL HALL
AT CARNEGIE HALL
154 W 57TH STREET

Monday, 2 May 2022
7:30pm EST 
 

The UN Chamber Music Society is proud to present a concert in support of the Helen Sawaya Fund, a philanthropy program headquartered at Mount Sinai Health System, whose mission is to enhance the experience of cancer patients using complementary therapies which include music therapy. 

Music, which symbolizes peace and hope, also holds the power to help in alleviating pain, easing side-effects, while reducing physical and emotional stress.  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.

 

 

OPENING MESSAGE
Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications
 
 

UN CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
OF THE UNITED NATIONS STAFF RECREATION COUNCIL
WITH CLASSICAL PIANIST JEROME LOWENTHAL

Brenda Vongova, Artistic Director & Piano

Hana Mundiya, Violin
Rohan Mundiya, Violin

Jeremy Kienbaum, Viola
May Endy, Cello
Sachiko Kato, Piano
 

MUSIC PROGRAMME

FREDERIC CHOPIN (1810 - 1849) Impromptu No.2 in F-Sharp Major, Op.36
Jerome Lowenthal (Piano)

GABRIEL FAURE  (1845 - 1924) Dolly, Op. 56: 1. Berceuse
Jerome Lowenthal (Piano), Brenda Vongova (Piano)

JEAN-PHILIPPE RAMEAU (1683 - 1764) Les Boréades, RCT 31, Act IV, Sc.IV: Entrée de Polimnie
Hana Mundiya (Violin), Rohan Mundiya (Violin), Jeremy Kienbaum (Viola), May Endy (Cello)

PABLO CASALS (1876 - 1973) - Song of the Birds
May Endy (Cello)

SERGEI RACHMANINOFF (1873 - 1943) 2 Pieces, TN ii/22: No. 2 Romance in A Major
Sachiko Kato (Piano), Brenda Vongova (Piano)

FRANZ SCHUBERT (1797 - 1828) Piano Trio No.2 in E Flat Major, Op.100, D.929: II. Andante Con Moto
Hana Mundiya (Violin), May Endy (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)

INTERMISSION

Remarks by Dr. Gabriel Sara,
Co-Founder & Director of the Helen Sawaya Fund & Medical Director of the Chemotherapy Infusion Suite,
The Mount Sinai West Hospital

ERIC NEVEUX (1972 - ) Music from the motion picture "De son vivant" ("Peaceful") directed by Emmanuelle Bercot (arr. James McWilliam for the UN Chamber Music Society); (c) Studiocanal - Les Films du Kiosque - Unkle Productions
Hana Mundiya (Violin), Jeremy Kienbaum (Viola), May Endy (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)

VADIM PETROV (1932 - 2020) Ruské evangelium (arr. for the UN Chamber Music Society)
Hana Mundiya (Violin Solo), Rohan Mundiya (Violin I), Jeremy Kienbaum (Viola), May Endy (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)
 

“Aatini Nay” (Lyrics from Gebran Khalil Gebran, Composed by Nagib Hankache) | (arr. A Bu for the UN Chamber Music Society) | Courtesy of “Voix de l’Orient” (A.Chahine & Fils)

Hana Mundiya (Violin), Jeremy Kienbaum (Viola), May Endy (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)

JOE HISAISHI (1950 - ) "Reprise" from Spirited Away [arr. by Sachiko Miyano for the UN Chamber Music Society]
Hana Mundiya (Violin I), Rohan Mundiya (Violin II),  Jeremy Kienbaum (Viola), May Endy (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)

CHRISTOPHER TIN (1976 - ) "Baba Yetu" from Calling All Dawns (Arranged for the UN Chamber Music Society)

Hana Mundiya (Violin I), Rohan Mundiya (Violin II),  Jeremy Kienbaum (Viola), May Endy (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)
 

 

SPECIAL THANKS

UN Department of Global Communications

Mount Sinai Health System
 

The Carnegie Hall Team

Andrey Nastasenko, Photographer

Klavierhaus

Artwork of poster compliments of EMBC, representing painter Melissa McCracken

 

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Tickets: Carnegiehall.org | CarnegieCharge 212-247-7800
Box Office at 57th and Seventh
 

English Language Day 2021; April 23

English Language Day at the UN is celebrated on 23 April, the date traditionally observed as both th birthday and date of death of William Shakespeare. The Day is the result of a 2010 initiative by the Department of Global Communications, establishing language days for each of the Organization's six official languages.

Virtual Music Performance: The UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council (UNCMS) presents a virtual concert in celebration of the English and Spanish Language Days at the United Nations, which will celebrate the linguistic and cultural diversity of humanity, particularly through English and Spanish language and music.

International Mother Language Day 2021, February 21

“Language is the blood of the soul into which thoughts run and out of which they grow” – Oliver Wendell Holmes. Each year, on 21 February, International Mother Language Day (IMLD) comes as a reminder of the power of language in preserving the uniqueness of human societies and promoting their distinct values. This year, UNESCO has decided on ‘Fostering multilingualism for inclusion in education and society’ as the theme for the IMLD. To observe IMLD 2021, the Permanent Missions of Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, Jordan, New Zealand, Lithuania, UN, and UNESCO would be organizing a virtual event on the 22 February 2021. The event is aimed at upholding the inalienable right of people globally to their mother languages and the importance of linguistic and cultural diversities. Representatives of the co-hosting member states and the UN will speak about their visions and commitments for promoting multilingualism within and beyond UN as a means for promoting inclusion in education and society. The discussion will be followed by a multilingual cultural programme.

 

Hosted by the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations

UN CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
VIRTUAL PERFORMANCE AT THE OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY


Monday, 22 February 2021
12:00pm to 1:30pm EST 

WATCH THE EVENT ON: UNITED NATIONS
UN WEB TV

 

On 21 February 2021, the UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council 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 Members States from across the regions and UNESCO.  

 

The event is aimed at upholding the inalienable right of people globally to their mother languages and the importance of linguistic and cultural diversities.  Multilingualism, one of the core values of the UN, contributes to promoting, protecting and preserving diversity of languages and cultures globally and in the process, achieving the goals of the United Nations.  While the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed our lives, it has reminded us how interconnected we are today.  And how we all must all work together to tackle our current global crises.  Multilingualism and diverse culture cultures are important elements in building a peaceful and inclusive world. 

 

The music programme by the UN Chamber Music Society that you will hear today, will reflect on our diverse elements – through the universal language of music.  It will honour multilingualism, by featuring composers from South Africa, Bangladesh, France and Guadeloupe.  Founded in 2016, the UN Chamber Music Society is dedicated to promoting the UN goals at large - through the universal language of music.  All musicians will perform chamber ensemble music from the safety of their homes, to help stem the spread of the coronavirus.

 

 

MESSAGES

 

Welcome remarks by H.E. Ms. Rabab Fatima, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh

Statement by H.E. Mr. Volken Bozkir, President of the General Assembly

Message of Director General of UNESCO, to be delivered by UNESCO Representative to the UN in New York

Statement by Ms. Melissa Fleming, Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications

 

Delivery of Message by Mr. Bill de Blasio, Mayor of New York City

 

MUSIC PROGRAMME

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

 

SOUTH AFRICA / IsiXhosa
SIBUSISO NJEZA (1982 - )  “Nyana Wam” (“My Son”) aria from Madiba the African Opera
Nosango Mtirara (Soprano), Hana Mundiya (Violin), Rohan Mundiya (Violin), Florrie Marshall (Viola), Thapelo Masita (Cello), Amir Farsi (Flute), Alec Manasse (Clarinet), Brenda Vongova (Piano)
 

FRENCH / GUADELOUPE
JOSEPH BOLOGNE CHEVALIER DE SAINT-GEORGES (1745-1799) Quartet in g minor, I. Allegro
Hana Mundiya (Violin), Florrie Marshall (Viola), Thapelo Masita (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)

BANGLADESH / Bangla
GARRY SCHYMAN (1954 - ) "Praan"
[Lyrics adapted from the poem "Stream of Life" from Gitanjali by RABINDRANATH TAGORE (1861 - 1941)]
 

SPECIAL THANKS
 

Dylan Louie, Video Editor
UN Chamber Music Society Messages

Human Rights Day 2020, 10 December

 

UN CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
VIRTUAL CONCERT IN CELEBRATION OF
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
FEATURING COMPOSERS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS

 

VIRTUAL GLOBAL LAUNCH: UNITED NATIONS
Thursday, 10 December 2020
7pm Eastern Standard Time (New York)


WATCH THE PERFORMANCE: UNITED NATIONS

 

“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home -- so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. [...] Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world."

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

 

In celebration of Human Rights Day on 10 December 2020, the UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council (UNCMS), will perform a concert – to celebrate the adoption in 1948 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).  The UDHR is a milestone document proclaiming the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Available in more than 500 languages, it is the most translated document in the world.

 

The music programme will feature and celebrate musical works by female composers and composers of minority communities, representing an artistic tapestry of composers from diverse backgrounds.  By celebrating the works of composers from diverse backgrounds, we help to realign the world of classical music with its nuanced history, while expanding notions of what is considered conventional in classical music – symbolizing our hopes of building bridges of understanding of human rights.  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.

 

Support the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
https://donatenow.ohchr.org/

 

 

PROGRAMME

 

Opening Messages
 

Ilze Brands Kehris, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights and Head of the Office
of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in New York 

 

Derrick León Washington
Senior Regional Human Rights Fellow at the Office
of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in New York

 

Ndaba Mandela
Founder & Chairman of Mandela Institute for Humanity

 

 

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

 

 

Featuring
Carol Wincenc (Flutist)  ● Nancy Allen (NY Philharmonic Harpist) ●  Velléda Miragias (Boston Philharmonic Cellist)  ●  Charles Neidich (Clarinetist)  ●  Ayaka Oshima (Clarinetist)  ●   Opus Illuminate

 

Music Programme
 

GRACE MOORE (2008 - ) Summer (arr. for the UN Chamber Music Society)
Derek Louie (Cello), Amir Farsi (Flute), Keeheon Nam (Clarinet), Brenda Vongova (Piano)

 

GERMAINE TAILLEFERRE (1892 – 1983) Pastorale for Flute and Harp
Professor Carol Wincenc (Flute), Nancy Allen (Principal Harpist, NY Philharmonic)


SAMUEL COLERIDGE-TAYLOR (1875 - 1912) Petite Suite de Concert, Op. 77: II. Demande et reponse
David Strongin (Violin), Brenda Vongova (Piano)


CHARLES NEIDICH (1953 - ) "Why"
Charles Neidich (Clarinet), Ayako Oshima (Clarinet)

 

 

FRANCISCA GONZAGA (1847 - 1935) Atraente (arr. Guilherme Andreas)
Professor Carol Wincenc (Flute), Velléda Miragias (Associate Principal Cellist, Boston Philharmonic)

 

 

JOSEPH BOLOGNE CHEVALIER DE SAINT-GEORGES (1745-1799) String Quartet in D, Opus 1, No. 6, Mvmt. 1
Opus Illuminate: Nathan Meltzer (Violin), Phoenix Avalon (Violin), Devin Moore (Viola), Derek Louie (Cello)
 

 

 

SPECIAL THANKS

 

UN Department of Global Communications

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in New York

Katarina Mansson

 

 

New York Philharmonic
Very Young Composers

Professor Carol Wincenc
 

Opus Illuminate
National Arts Diversity Integration Association (NADIA)
 

Artwork of Poster: Peter Mah

 

VERY SPECIAL THANKS

 

Jacob Sachs-Mishalanie, Audio Engineer

 

Rebecca Bai, Video Editor

United Nations Day 2020, October 24

 

VIRTUA CREATIVE PRESENTS
 

UN CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
“75 YEARS OF LOVE”

ALBUM IN CELEBRATION OF THE 

75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED NATIONS

IN SUPPORT OF THE UN REFUGEE AGENCY

Saturday, 12 December 2020
@12:00pm EST (New York)

 

Listen to the entire album on Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, YouTube, TikTok, Pandora,
and all the major music distribution platforms worldwide.

WATCH THE ALBUM LAUNCH: UNITED NATIONS

 

On 12 December 2020, the UN Chamber Music Society (UNCMS) – in partnership with VIRTUA CREATIVE – will launch “75 YEARS OF LOVE,” the ensemble’s debut world music album, in support of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and in celebration of the United Nations 75th Anniversary.  The programme will be musically representative at the regional level, as repertoire from all five official regional groups of the United Nations will be featured.  The songs chosen will be linked to the message of the UN’s 75th anniversary.  The album will feature World Classical Music and World Pop Music – and will be launched on the various UN platforms.

All donations and album profits received will be directed to support the humanitarian work of the UNHCR, which has provided for seventy-years life-saving assistance and protection to refugees globally.  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.

 

 

OPENING MESSAGES
 

H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkir
President of the 75th session of the General Assembly

 

Filippo Grandi
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

 

Fabrizio Hochschild,
Special Adviser on Preparations for Seventy-Fifth United Nations Anniversary

 

Melissa Fleming,
UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications

 

 

ALBUM PROGRAMME

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

 

(I) Latin American and Caribbean Group

BOB MARLEY (1945 - 1981) One Love (arr. Edward Bilous for the UN Chamber Music Society)
Julian Marley (Singer), Sara Marley (Singer), Addis Pablo (Melodica), Vivaldo Brown (Nyabinghi Drums), Hana Mundiya (Violin), Rohan Mundiya (Violin), Florrie Marshall (Viola), Derek Louie (Cello), Daniel Chmielinski (Bass), Brenda Vongova (Piano), Audrey Martell (Back-up vocalist), Janice Pendarvis (Back-up vocalist), LaJuan Carter (Back-up vocalist)

Recording for Sara Marley’s vocals:
Julian Miller and Ms. Lauryn Hill

Recording for Julian Marley:
Aston Barrett Jr., Engineer and Floyd “John GQ” Barrett, Co-Engineer

 

 

SAMUEL ZYMAN (1956 - )  Suite de la Mancha, III. Dulcinea
Eva Ding (Flute), Derek Louie (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)


(II) African Group

CHRISTOPHER TIN (1976 - ) "Baba Yetu" from Calling All Dawns (arr. for the UN Chamber Music Society)
Hana Mundiya (Violin), Rohan Mundiya (Violin), Florrie Marshall (Viola), Drake Driscoll (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)

 

(III) Asia-Pacific Group

GARRY SCHYMAN (1954 - ) "Praan" [Lyrics adapted from the poem "Stream of Life" from Gitanjali by RABINDRANATH TAGORE (1861 - 1941)] (arr. Edward Bilous)
Mai Fujisawa (Singer), Little Carol Choir, Hana Mundiya (Violin), Rohan Mundiya (Violin), Florrie Marshall (Viola), Derek Louie (Cello), Sarah Favinger (Bass), Brenda Vongova (Piano)

CHRISTOPHER TIN (1976 - ) "Dao Zai Fan Ye " from Calling All Dawns (arr. Gabriel Majou for the UN Chamber Music Society)
Eva Ding (Flute), Audrey Emata (Flute), Hana Mundiya (Violin), Florrie Marshall (Viola), Thapelo Masita (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano), Ehren L. Valmé (Trombone)


(IV) Eastern European Group

PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY (1840 – 1893) The Seasons, Op.37a, February (Carnival) June (Barcarolle) and October (Autumn Song)
Jerome Lowenthal (Piano)

PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY (1840 - 1893) Piano Trio in A minor, Op.50, TH.117: 2. (A) Tema con variazioni: Andante con moto & Coda – Lugubre
Sophia Stoyanovich (Violin), Noah Koh (Cello), Brenda Vongova (Piano)


(V) Western European Group

GIACOMO PUCCINI (1858 – 1924) “O mio babbino caro” from Gianni Schicchi (arr. Marina Lee)
Amy Burton (Singer), Hana Mundiya (Violin), Rohan Mundiya (Violin), Florrie Marshall (Viola), Thapelo Masita (Cello), Sarah Favinger (Bass), Audrey Emata (Flute), Sam Boutris (Clarinet), Michelle Gott (Harp)

GABRIEL FAURE (1845 - 1924)  Pavane (arr. Marina Lee)
Alita Moses (Opera Singer), Hana Mundiya (Violin), Rohan Mundiya (Violin), Florrie Marshall (Viola), Thapelo Masita (Cello), Sarah Favinger (Bass), Brenda Vongova (Piano), Eva Ding (Flute), Sam Boutris (Clarinet), Lucian Avalon (Oboe), Cornelia Sommer (Bassoon), Jordan James (Horn), Michelle Gott (Harp)

 

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If you wish to make a donation to support the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), please visit:

www.unrefugees.org/HelpRefugees2020
All donations are greatly appreciated.

 

 

SPECIAL THANKS

UN Department of Global Communications

UN Office of the President of the General Assembly
Mohammed Shaker

UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)

Office of the Special Adviser on Preparations for Seventy-Fifth United Nations Anniversary

United Nations Information Service (UNIS) Vienna
Martin Nesirky

Christopher Tin
Sean Flahaven

Mai Fujisawa

Jacob Sachs-Mishalanie,
UNCMS Audio Engineer for “Broken Sail”

Rebecca Dixuan Bai,
UNCMS Video Editor for “Broken Sail”

Recording for Sara Marley’s vocals:
Julian Miller and Ms. Lauryn Hill

Recording for Julian Marley:
Aston Barrett Jr., Engineer and Floyd “John GQ” Barrett, Co-Engineer

Sara Marley
Julian Marley
Rohan Marley

Reggie Kerr

Artwork of Poster: © Robert Marley
Regal Marley

 

VERY SPECIAL THANKS
VIRTUA CREATIVE
Edward Bilous, Artistic Director and Producer
--

Michelle DiBucci, Producer

Keren Plowden, Production Manager

Greg Kalember, Mix Engineer

Steve Buonanotte, Audio Engineer

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Rick Kaplan, Film Director and Director of Photography

Eliot Francese, Videographer, Editor

David Scherker, Video Editor
Jessica Rice, Art Designer

--

Katie Jenkins, Arranger

 Marina Lee, Arranger

Shelbie Rassler, Arranger

Anran Qian, Digital Audio Preparation

Yusei Hata, Music Preparation

Mia Kyler, Assistant Production Coordinator

Brianna Johnson, Researcher

Eamon Kobel, Video Production Assistant

Noah Hawes, Audio Assistant

Josef Trepetin, Audio Assistant

Daniel Kantzler, Audio Assistant

--

In Partnership with the Westchester Children’s Museum and Virtua Arts

Special Thanks to Pepsico

 

75 YEARS OF LOVE - Album Programme Notes
UNCMS UN75 UNHCR Album_Programme Notes_F[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [885.3 KB]