Read the first part of this article.

As the Society prepared for its 50th Anniversary, the subject of Peace would again be made very relevant. The Anniversary was to be celebrated in late May of 1865. Just over a month prior, the Civil War ended and the nation stood United once more. Surely, it would have seemed time for a reprise of the peace celebrations a half-century earlier. Such hope was lost with the news of President Lincoln's assassination at Forbes Theatre coming so soon after the joyous end of hostilities. Handel and Haydn Society's 50th Anniversary would become a solemn and patriotic event, and the peace celebrations hoped for would become a respectful memorial for the fallen President with members of the Society eager to lend their voices to the cause of national mourning and reconciliation.

Throughout the 20th Century, the Society would diligently perform through national tragedies and honor the price and hope of peace. We are now again in a period of uncertainty. Music Director Grant Llewellyn arrived in Boston to take up the duties of his new position on the night of September 10, 2001. He, like so many across the world, was deeply shaken by the events that unfolded the next morning. As the Handel and Haydn Society conductors and musicians before him, Llewellyn would search to find whatever he could do as a musician to respond to these events. He selected works for the Society's concerts that would reflect a faith in humanity, such as Beethoven's stirring "Choral" Symphony, Monteverdi's expressive Vespers, and coming next season Brahms' Requiem, a towering work of consolation, affirmation, and ultimately hope for us all.

He also launched the Society on a recording project that would collect works appropriate to the themes of hope and peace. The result has been the new album, Peace, featuring the voices of the Handel and Haydn Society Chorus. Debuting at No. 5 on the Billboard Classical Music charts, the work has been well received across the United States and the United Kingdom. Asked to write something for the release of the album, Grant Llewellyn described the project:

" We have tried to find here music that can convey a sense of calm and tranquility that will compel the listener to slow down, even stop and reflect on life and its beauty for a moment. We have chosen music from many lands, religions and cultures that is solemn, sometimes profound and always uplifting. We hope that in this small way we are contributing to Peace on Earth."

Contributing to peace on Earth has been a mission of the Society from its founding. It continues to be a strong commitment today.