Singing for Peace on World Peace Day
Notre Père | Vater unser | The Lord’s Prayer | …
Saturday 21 September 2024
More than 60 choirs worldwide performed Frank Martin’s Notre Père around World Peace Day 2024.
Among them choirs from Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, the United States,
South Africa and The Netherlands. See below for some impressions of choirs that participated.
In terra pax – Homage to Peace
Eighty years ago, in 1944, Frank Martin was commissioned by Radio Geneva to compose the oratorio In terra pax. Upon completion a recording was made, to be broadcast on the day the war would come to an end. The world premiere duly took place on 7 May 1945. It was an indictment of war and a homage to peace, well fitting to the person of Frank Martin.
A homage to peace is no less relevant to our own time, and the Frank Martin Society is pleased to make a contribution. This year we also commemorate this Swiss-Dutch composer, who died fifty years ago.
Notre Père – Singing for Peace
The beautiful Notre Père for unison choir comes from the oratorio In terra pax. It is a simple and moving little piece of just some three minutes. As a homage to peace the Frank Martin Society called on choirs throughout the world to perform the Notre Père in the weekend of the International Day of Peace (Saturday 21 September). On the Friday, Saturday or Sunday, whichever suits best, based on one central idea: choirs throughout the world sing with one voice for peace.
