A Musical Tribute to Ukraine

“This will be our reply to violence—to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.” ~Leonard Bernstein

Pacific Symphony stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

When audiences arrive at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall for this week’s concert Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony with Edo de Waart conducting (March 10-12), they will be greeted by blue and yellow signs with bright sunflowers in the lobby letting them know about a program change: In support of all who are suffering, the orchestra will begin this weekend’s performances with the contemplative spiritual anthem “Prayer for Ukraine.” This peaceful musical tribute will provide a moment for audiences to send heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the people who are caught in the conflict in Ukraine. The violin concerto being performed on the program by James Ehnes was written in 1935 by Sergei Prokofiev, who was born and raised in Ukraine.

If you are interested in helping the people of Ukraine with a donation, the U.S. Department of State is highlighting a gofundme campaign for a Ukrainian Humantarian Fund as one centralized fundraising effort, which includes links to individual, verified nonprofit humanitarian organizations.

Pacific Symphony agrees that music has the power to unite us all in peace. The orchestra embodies the sentiment of Leonard Bernstein, who famously said: “This will be our reply to violence—to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.”

You can view the full piece here: