Sunday marks the 100th anniversary of the World War I Armistice, which was signed at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
To honor both that historic moment and Veteran’s Day, the Oratorio Society of Minnesota is presenting a full day of events at the University of Minnesota’s Northrop Auditorium that ends with the U.S. premiere of composer Patrick Hawes’ “The Great War Symphony.”
“I think it’s important that we commemorate our history, whether it be a somber or joyous remembrance,” said Matthew Mehaffey, a professor at the university and artistic director of the Oratorio Society. “I hope people are able to listen to the words, contemplate what a horrible war it was and realize how that could happen again.”
The day opens with a Bells of Peace ceremony outside the Northrop at 11 a.m. It starts with a reading of Laurence Binyon’s 1914 poem “For the Fallen,” followed by an honor guard ringing a bell 21 times, much like a 21-gun salute, the nation’s highest honor. After that, the names of each of the more than 1,400 Minnesota soldiers killed in combat during World War I will be read.
The number of deaths has resonated with Mehaffey’s students, who will sing during the evening program. “That’s been eye-opening to them, just how many Minnesotans died,” he said. “America was only in the war for a year and those were the people killed in action. There were more than 2,000 Minnesotans who died from Spanish influenza. That is a not insignificant part of the state’s population at the time.”
Minnesota artist David Geister’s three-panel, 30-foot mural created for the Minnesota History Center’s 2017 World War I exhibit will be on display in the Northrop lobby. It’s on loan from the Minnesota Military Museum, which now houses the artwork. The museum has also assembled a series of soldier artifacts — from uniforms to weapons to field books — to be shown at Northrop.
Northrop was the ideal place to hold the events, Mehaffey said. Named in honor of the university’s second president, Cyrus Northrop, the venue was dedicated both to him and to the state’s World War I veterans.
The concert, dubbed “Lest We Forget,” follows at 4 p.m. It features the Oratorio Society of Minnesota Chorus, soloists Jennifer Olson (soprano) and Nicholas Chalmers (tenor) and the University of Minnesota’s Men’s and Women’s Chorus, Orchestra and Wind Ensemble.
Composer Hawes spent his early days teaching and composing before deciding to devote his entire focus to composing in 2002. He has since become one of the England’s most celebrated classical musicians and has completed numerous high-profile commissions, including one to celebrate the Prince of Wales’ 60th birthday and several that tied in to World War I.
“The Great War Symphony” stands as Hawes’ largest work to date. The world premiere took place last month at London’s Royal Albert Hall and Sunday it debuts at both Northrop and Carnegie Hall in New York.
“I think people will find it easy to listen to,” Mehaffey said. “It’s very tuneful and immediate. It’s a contemporary classical piece that also has some more Broadway musical theater moments in it, especially when the soloists sing. There are moments of great sadness, great splendor and great horror.”
The concert will also be broadcast live on Minnesota Public Radio’s classical station.
“One of the great messages (of the work) is how we remember those who have died for our freedom and liberty,” Mehaffey said. “It’s worth it to take a moment in our busy and contentious political climate to be grateful we have the ability to have these arguments because of the people who protected this country over the past century.”
‘LEST WE FORGET’
- What: “Lest We Forget,” which includes the U.S. premiere of Patrick Hawes’ “The Great War Symphony,” a four-movement, hourlong work for soloists, chorus, and orchestra
- When: 4 p.m. Sunday
- Where: Northrop Auditorium, 84 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis
- Tickets: $58-$28, with discounts available for youth, military members and seniors
- Information: 612-624-2345 or northrop.umn.edu
- Also: The day opens with a Bells of Peace ceremony starting at 11 a.m. outside Northrop
