In honor of the International Day of Peace, the Pieterskerk in Leiden and the Residentie Orkest Hague are presenting a performance of Henryk Górecki’s Symphony No. 3. Henryk Górecki’sSymphony No. 3is one of the most serene and moving works of the twentieth century. In the intimate acoustics of the Pieterskerk, this music truly comes into its own. 

The symphony consists of three slow movements for orchestra and soprano, featuring ancient Polish texts. They tell the story of a mother who loses her child, a child separated from its mother, and a universal longing for security. Górecki translates these themes into a musical language of simplicity and repetition, in which every note takes on meaning. 

With its slow tempo and clear structure, the music creates an almost timeless space. Sounds build up slowly and then fade away, creating a deep sense of calm that washes over you immediately. You don’t need to understand anything—just listen and let yourself be carried away. A concert that calms, deepens, and lingers long after it ends.