*CHARTER FOR PEACE op.480 (May 1995)

A piece for chorus and orchestra to celebrate the 50th anniversary of UNO
Published by: Highbridge Music Ltd
Commissioned by: The UN department of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Instrumentation: SATB chorus 2222 2200 timp.strings, (optional 4 fanfare trumpets in Bflat)
[Key to Abbreviations]
Note on Lyrics: Text from the UN Charter of 1945
Duration: 11 mins
First Performance: June 26th 1995, Westminster Hall

Recordings Available
A video was made of the ceremony by BCA (Bonham Carter Associate).

Notes

Composer's note:'Charter for Peace' was commissioned by The United Nations department of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office to celebrate the 50th anniversary of UNO. At their request I compiled the text from the original UN Charter of 1945 and they approved the title 'Charter for Peace'. The first performance was given on June 26th 1995 in Westminster Hall by The Joyful Company of Singers, The City of London Sinfonia and trumpeters of the Welsh Guards conducted by Steuart Bedford in the presence of HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, HRH The Prince of Wales, Prime Minister John Major, members of the House of Lords, the House of Commons and senior military personnel of UNO. The text was as follows:

'We the peoples of the United Nations are determined to save successive generations from the scourge of war, which has brought untold sorrow to mankind.

To reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small.

To establish conditions under which justice and respect for international obligations can be maintained.

To promote social progress, standards of life and greater freedom.

To practise tolerance with one another as good neighbours, to live together in peace.

To unite our strength to maintain international peace and security.

To ensure that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest.

To promote the economic and social advancement of all peoples.'

(from the preamble to the UN Charter 1945)



 

Related Autobiography Chapters


'CHARTER FOR PEACE', 50 years of The United Nations in the presence of The Queen (1995)

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