An Die Hoffnung by Pärt, Silvestrov, Holst, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Od (2025/2025), Dirigent Benjamin Reiners, Theaterplatz, Chemnitz, Germany

Fraternity, peaceful community and the power of humanist ideals - it is no coincidence that the finale of Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, in which he set Schiller's Ode to Joy , was chosen as the anthem of Europe in 1972 and of the European Community in 1985. In Chemnitz's year as Capital of Culture 2025, Robert-Schumann Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Benjamin Reiners, together with soloists and the Chemnitz Theatre Opera Choir as well as other choirs, is making a statement in the spirit of European values with the performance of this work at Theaterplatz . The joint appeal for peace in the world is lent powerful weight by four further works: Da pacem Domine (Give peace, Lord), a composition for choir by Arvo Pärt on a Latin prayer, the moving Evening Serenade by the Ukrainian Valentin Silvestrov, the tender impressionistic Production Venus, the Messenger of Peace from the suite The Planets by Gustav Holst and the musical prayer Verleih' uns Frieden gnädiglich by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy on words by Martin Luther.