photo by Salah Daoud
14 July 2023, New York, USA – United Nations Institute for Training and Research – New York Office (UNITAR - NYO), Global Foundation for the Performing Arts (GFPA), and Carnegie Hall hosted the monumental "All-Star Festival, Symphony of Solidarity: The Same Language" concert on July 11, celebrating the 60th anniversary of UNITAR. Sponsored by the member states Costa Rica, Ecuador, Singapore, Monaco, and Oman as well as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and Grammophone Magazine, this memorable event was a harmonious collaboration of UNITAR's New York Office, Carnegie Hall, and the GFPA, demonstrating their shared commitment to overcoming global challenges through unity, knowledge, and the power of music.
Benjamin Woodroffe, the president of the Global Foundation for the Performing Arts, expressed his excitement
This evening’s programme is our thank you to UNITAR and to our sponsoring Member States. In partnership with Carnegie Hall and the UN, we are re-activating and revitalizing the past tradition of concerts at this very place first led by Leonard Bernstein.
photo by Jackie Hannan Du
The concert was performed by the United Nations Orchestra for Hope, under the baton of Maestro Jorge Soto and concertmaster Runyin Zhang, featured two soloists, pianist Byron Wei-Xin Zhou and violinist Aisha Syed Castro.
Maestro Jorge Soto, the conductor of the Orchestra, said
I am deeply honored to conductor the United Nations Festival Orchestra for Hope to Celebrate UNITAR’s 60th anniversary, and share stage with unique artists such as Byron Zhou and Aisha Syed Castro. As a Venezuelan who was born and raised in ‘El Sistema’, I feel extremely proud to share UNITAR’s philosophy and missions by promoting cultural diplomacy and education.
The concert commenced with the world premiere of Weihao Qiang's "Symphony of Solidarity: Essence" a composition commissioned and dedicated to UNITAR - NYO. Under Soto's baton, the orchestra delivered a compelling message of unity by Qiang's symphony.
UNITAR's Executive Director, Mr. Nikhil Seth, whose remarks followed by Qiang’s composition by welcoming the United Nations community, thanking the sponsors for their presence, and sharing its appreciation for the outpouring support on the occasion of the celebration of UNITAR’s 60 years.
photo by Jackie Hannan Du
H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al-Hassan, the Ambassador of Oman to the UN, addressed
it is my honor to deliver a few remarks of appreciation and immense gratitude to UNITAR and more specifically to their New York Office for their work supporting us, diplomats, and the United Nations system. In particular, allow me to extend as a marker of gratitude to His Excellency Marco Suazo, head of the New York Office, a gift from the Royal Office of Oman. This gift was handmade and crafted by a 72 years old Omani, particularly for you dear Marco. Marco, and to the rest of the UNITAR NYO team, we thank you for your leadership, trainings and support to our Missions” at the special intervention during the concert.
photo by Jackie Hannan Du
Sir Clive Gillinson, Executive and Artistic Director of Carnegie Hall, welcomed the audience.
It is a great honor to partner with the United Nations, UNITAR, and the Global Foundation for the Arts for this event based on our shared belief in the power of music to bring people and nations together. Partnerships like this make it possible for us to have an impact that can never be achieved alone, enabling us to work together to greatly improve the lives of people and the world that we all share.
photo by Salah Daoud
Soloists Zhou and Castro astounded the audience with their exceptional performances for the rest of the first half. Zhou's rendition of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue echoed the bustling rhythm of New York, while Castro’s renditions of Monti’s Csárdás and Massenet’s “Méditation” from “Thaïs” showcased her technical prowess and emotional connectivity with the music. The first half reached a rousing zenith with Brahms’s Hungarian Dances, imbuing the audience with a tangible sense of "Hope."
photo by Jackie Hannan Du
The concert's second half continued to enthrall with Zhou's evocative performance of Frédéric Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21, the orchestra's rendition of Astor Piazzolla's vibrant Libertango with bandonéon player Rodolfo Marcelo Zanetti and Tango dancers Carolina Juanena & Andrés Bravo. The grand finale was an encore performance of Gardel's Por Una Cabeza, arranged for Bandonéon, violin, piano, and orchestra and tango dance, ignited the audiences, and encapsulating the evening's themes of unity and harmony, symbolizing UNITAR and the United Nations' mission.
Aisha Syed Castro, the violin soloist, said
To perform at this multicultural event where unity is celebrated through music was a truly humbling highlight for me. Performing with Maestro Soto and the United Nations Festival Orchestra at the Carnegie Hall was a musical delight. I now continue ever more inspired and committed in the journey of bringing peace through the gift God gives us in music and bringing solace during global challenges in diverse regions throughout our planet.,
and Mr. Byron Wei-Xin Zhou, the piano soloist of the concert, said
Performing this concert is a fascinating endeavor. It necessitates not only understanding but also a shared vibrancy. Unlike other repertoires that can be executed through rehearsals alone, this one demand that the musicians and conductor collectively strive for a common goal. Under Maestro Soto's baton, I experienced a surge of energy that he instilled within the ensemble, uniting us in harmony.
Photo by Salah Daoud
The true star of the concert was the United Nations Festival Orchestra for Hope, a prestigious ensemble dedicated to inspiring global harmony through the universal language of music. The ensemble brings together an incredible group of professional musicians from various corners of the world.
It has been such an honor to play a small part in the success of the United Nations Festival Orchestra of Hope.
said Dov Scheindlin, the ensemble operations manager of the orchestra, also serves as the associate principle violist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra,
As a musician I feel humbled by the impact our music has had on dignitaries from around the world, and I hope that our performance conveyed the spirit of solidarity which is badly needed today.
Adding further richness to Orchestra, Everhard Parades, the former player of of the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, along with several of his old colleagues, have re-picked their instruments in the U.S. for this concert.
As a Venezuelan that grew up in ‘El Sistema’, being part of UNITAR’s 60th anniversary celebration and sharing stage with world class artists from different parts of the world was an honor and a memorable experience that will resonate within my heart forever. I hope I can in the near future, collaborate again with the great pianist and artist Byron Zhou , and maestro Jorge Soto who conducted the orchestra with great enthusiasm and leadership.
said Mr. Parades.
photo by Jackie Hannan Du
Carl Battaglia, the former music critics of New York Time, described this concert by using word “exhilarating”. Mr. Battaglia further said
It was a phenomenal, joyful, and heartwarming evening. The stunning programming included the orchestral and solo piano performances of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in blue and Chopin’s piano Concerto in F Minor. These are two major compositions foremost in the mainstay of the 20th and 19th centuries. Both works were beautifully rendered by diverse players with a universal joy and energy that belie description. Both Zhou and the orchestra highlighted these diametric opposites uniquely and masterfully.
photo by Jackie Hannan Du
Reflecting on the past 60 years, UNITAR continues to deliver training and capacity-building programs to equip the global community to address complex issues. This concert was not only a celebration but also a call to action, echoing UNITAR's vision of a united world capable of overcoming global challenges.
William Quillen, the Dean of Oberlin Conservatory of Music, said:
Since its founding, UNITAR has played a critical role in developing initiatives that foster global peace and create new avenues for prosperity, flourishing, and inclusivity among people of all nations. Oberlin College and Conservatory is a proud partner with UNITAR, and we fully share in the fundamental belief that education, culture, and the arts can be the driving forces bolstering unity and understanding.
and Mr. Runyin Zhang, the concertmaster of this concert, as well as the violin professor at the Shanghai Music Conservatory, shared the same vision by saying
Music is a universal language, it enabling positive changes.
photo by Salah Daoud
UNITAR
As the audience left Carnegie Hall, they left with more than just an unforgettable musical experience. The Symphony of Solidarity's resonating echoes served as a powerful reminder of UNITAR's core values and the role we can all play in creating a united world, better equipped to face challenges. The concert underlined not only UNITAR's commitment but also the power of collaboration, harmony, and unity in overcoming adversity.
Normally, I say this to my beneficiaries: we don’t like to give lectures - we like to share our knowledge. Beneficiaries, in turn, also have something to contribute. They have a high degree of education, knowledge, and experience, and it is through the exchange of information that we can make this work for the benefit of present and future generations,
said Mr. Marco Suazo.