Program 2021

Pianist and composer Max Richter just released his 9th album Voices, inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On 10 December 2020, in partnership with the UN and the EBU, the piece was performed in its entirety during a concert broadcast in 37 countries.

Max Richter, a proponent of the neo-classical movement, has written seminal works for symphony orchestras, theatre, ballet, cinema ("Waltz with Bashir", "Ad Astra") and television ("Black Mirror"). His album "The Blue Notebooks" (2004) was hailed by The Guardian as one of the most important compositions of this century. "Voices" has received widespread acclaim, and will be the subject of a feature film created by director Yulia Mahr. Max Richter and Yulia Mahr will discuss the genesis of "Voices" and its profound meaning. For Richter, the Declaration should be considered as a “likely unattainable horizon, from which we must nevertheless draw in order to progress". He stresses the importance of finding a new language, for which artists are indispensable. How should we approach this fundamental text? How can we revitalise it? A conversation during which Max Richter and Yulia Mahr will present previously unseen film footage from the recording sessions of "Voices" or the concert given at the Barbican in London.

© Photo Mike Terry

Art & Activism

The conversation will be held in English with simultaneous interpretation into French.

Co-presented with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations (OHCHR)