[responsive_youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WN8WEyukrow]
Dona Nobis Pacem, composed by Christopher Gainey, was performed in its world premiere on May 11, 2013 by the St. Leonard Choral Society under music director Dan Drzymalski at Sacred Heart Church in Boston’s North End, with solo part sung by soprano Jennifer Cimino.
The music of Gainey’s Dona Nobis Pacem transcends cultural, demographic, gender, and religious barriers, to promote world peace. The initial latin is juxtaposed against English at the end, which was translated from its original in Arabic.
The beginning of the piece starts with tutti chorus, while it ends with a soprano solo. Each vocal part is strong and independent on its own, yet together work to create a new whole that would otherwise never be possible. Through the use of these elements, Gainey has been able to create a piece of music that touches everyone’s heart and can truly move people to work towards world peace and harmony. Dona Nobis Pacem is a superior masterwork of the 21st century.
The St. Leonard Choral Society is always interested in welcoming new singers. Email dandrzymalski@gmail.com for more information.
