The Vienna Philharmonic, led by Franz Welser-Möst and supported by an all-star line-up, among them pianist Yuja Wang, performed a concert of pieces highlighting war and peace in commemoration of the end of WWI.

100 years after the first of the devastating human catastrophes of the 20th century officially ended at Versailles, a group of inspired musicians gathered at the historic site for a concert that is now available on film and CD (released November 15th, 2019 via Deutsche Grammophon).

1. W.A. Mozart, Ouverture to “Die Zauberflöte”, KV 620
2-6. C. Debussy: Sirènes from “Trois Nocturnes”
7. G. Holst: Mars, the Bringer of War from “The Planets”, op.32
8. R. Wagner: Funeral March from “Götterdämmerung”, Wwv 86d
9-10. M. Ravel: Piano Concerto for the Left Hand in D Major
11. R. Vaughan Williams: Dirge for Two Veterans from “Dona nobis pacem”
12-15. L.v.Beethoven: Agnus Dei from “Missa solemnis” in D Major, op.123
16. Ch. Ives: The Unanswered Question

Featuring a setlist quite like no other - with works including Holst (Mars from The Planets), Ravel (Piano Concerto for the Left Hand), Wagner (Funeral March from Gotterdammerung), and Beethoven (Agnus Dei from the Missa Solemnis) - this never-heard-before compilation of deeply moving musical pieces stunningly highlights numerous aspects of war and peace via fluid, and at times, pulsating music.

This is how the Wiener Philharmoniker, led by Franz Welser-Möst and supported by an all-star line-up, among them singular pianist Yuja Wang, tackled the highly anticipated concert in commemoration of the end of the 1st World War.

Opening with the spritely Mozart: Die Zauberflöte, K620: Overture, the next set of works (Debussy: Nocturnes, L. 91 / 3. Sirènes) are an absolute beauty to behold. They grow from the stoic, lowly, aching seeds of both Modérément animé and Un peu plus lent, then bathing within En animant, surtout dans l'expression, before climaxing in the passionate Revenir progressivement au Tempo I – En augmentant peu à peu and then the thought provoking 'Tempo I – Plus lent et en retenant jusqu'à la fin.'

The worldly renowned epic Holst: The Planets, Op. 32 and the stern endeavors found within Wagner: Gotterdammerung are magnificently reproduced here and are backed seamlessly by Ravel: Piano Concerto in D major (for the left hand) - with the flinty Lento leading us into the playful piano work of Allegro - Tempo I.

Next is the uplifting, at times soaring Vaughan Williams: Dona Nobis Pacem which is followed by the operatic wonderment of Beethoven: Missa Solemnis in D major, Op. 123 - Agnus Dei. This breathtaking concert then rounds out with the five minute salute found within Ives, C: The Unanswered Question.

100 years after the first of the devastating humane catastrophes of the 20th century officially ended at Versailles, a group of inspired musicians gathered at the historic site for a concert that will live on in the memory of those who have seen or heard it.

This incredible, simply divine and heartfelt new CD The Peace Concert Versailles is that result and it is one that will live long in the memory of the casual listener also.

Official CD Purchase Link

Yuja Wang @ Facebook

www.WienerPhilharmoniker.at