On the eve of the International Day of Peace, Henryk Górecki’s Third Symphony was performed at the Pieterskerk in Leiden. A work of profound stillness and emotional power, it was performed by soprano Elisabeth Hetherington and the Residentie Orkest , conducted by Chloe Rooke. “It draws its strength from refined, precise movements that give the orchestra wings, fluttering as light as feathers, swelling into pounding wings,” according to the Leidsch Dagblad.

Górecki’s Third Symphony, also known as the Symphony of Sorrowful Songs, revolves around loss, connection, and the longing for security. In three slowly unfolding movements, Górecki intertwines the voice of a mother with that of a child. The austere musical language, in which repetition and silence play a key role, was given full rein in the unique acoustics of the Pieterskerk. Elisabeth Hetherington’s clear, penetrating voice served as the focal point.

Prior to the concert, former NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer reflected on the meaning of peace in a time of uncertainty and conflict. He also reflected on the role that art and culture can play in this context: as a space for encounter, reflection, and the sharing of experiences that are not always easy to put into words.

Photos: Alex Heuvink