Helianthus

Programme Notes

The barbaric invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 served as a stark reminder of the world’s vulnerability to falling into the trap of resolving disputes through violence and war. This event inspired me to compose this choral work as a means of advocating for peace. While it may seem simple to say “yes” to peace and “no” to war, humanity has repeatedly shown throughout history that we often fall prey to the belief that violence can solve problems or bring prosperity. I believe that this mindset can change if we continue to champion the idea of peace.

Through this composition, I hope to remind us all that there is great power in patience, trust, and understanding. Even when we disagree, we can listen, respect our differences, and find common ground. Let’s tune out the voices that promote division and fear, and instead focus on the unifying power of love.

A heartfelt thank you to my dear friends, Janet Correia & Alice Dearden, for their invaluable input on this piece. I would also like to express my deep gratitude to Christine Pennylegion for allowing me to set her poignant poem to music. It is an honor and privilege to collaborate with a fellow artist who shares hope for a peaceful future. ❤ ☮

– Frank Horvat

Many thanks to Émilie Tack for recording the above audio demo and to her husband Jean-Philippe Collard-Neven for engineering and mixing it.