PEACE SYMPHONY for Soprano, Baritone, Mixed Choir & Symphony Orchestra

Peace Symphony is a dedication to humanity. Its words by Tawakkol Karman carry a vision of a wide human possibility and yet unknown great future.

As composer of the symphony I was obliged to follow and live up to its call. The reality it describes through Mrs. Karman's own experiences at the Tahrir Square in Sana'a, living there for months in a tent, leading the Arabic spring in Yemen. It was there she was offered the Nobel Peace Prize 2011.

They were protesting for Peace, after 33 years of dictatorship. But Mrs. Karman's message doesn't stop short there. She turns to the world with the urgent request: "Peace does not mean just to stop wars, but to also stop oppression and injustice".

I continue relating to Mrs. Karman's words, framing the expression aspired for in this symphony:

*"..it is the sound and the soul of the people who suffer from struggle for freedom and justice. It is the sound of the brave people against tyrannies, and the dreamers for a better life and future. It is the belief of the people on a shining future, despite all deterioration that happened now, injustice, hatred, racism."

It was to this Spirit I was dedicated composing the Peace Symphony.

Johannes Jansson

Tawakkol Karman's comment after the premiere 13.4.2018

Link to the premiere concert 13.4.2018 & presentation by Tawakkol Karman

https://www.berwaldhallen.se/konsert/peace-symphony