“32 Bright Clouds: Beethoven Conversations Around the World” is a global music-commissioning, performing and recording project curated by pianist Yael Weiss. The project commissions a diverse group of composers from countries of conflict and unrest around the world, with all new works unified by a single “Peace motif” from Beethoven, where he added the inscription “A Call for Inward and Outward Peace” above the notes. Each new composition is connected to one of Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas. “32 Bright Clouds” aims to harness music’s great power for unity and peace.

Yael Weiss will be performing LIVE from the Westermann Stage in the Adelphi PAC Concert Hall.

PROGRAM

Beethoven: Sonata No.7 in D Major, Op. 10 no. 3
I: Presto

Sidney Marquez Boquiren (Philippines, b. 1970): Unheard Voices (2018)
Dedicated to the victims of extra-judicial killings, whose voices have been unheard

Ne Myo Aung (Myanmar, b. 1983): Moha (2020) World Premiere
May all people learn to overcome “Moha” (delusion in mind and soul) and work together to pursue our collective wisdom and well being

Bongani Ndodana-Breen (South Africa, b. 1975): Isiko: An African Ritual for Ancestral Intercession (2019)
(In response to the Sonata No. 29. Dedicated to Uyinene Mrwetyana and other victims of femicide in South Africa)

Adina Izarra (Venezuela, b. 1959): Arietta for the 150 (2018)
Dedicated to the 150 young people whose lives were taken during the 2017 Peace demonstrations in Venezuela