First-Ever Global Electronic Music Project Celebrates 80th Anniversary of the United Nations
Orchestra Re-Interpretations of Works by Leading Electronic Artists to Culminate in Virtual Concert in Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations
The UN Chamber Music Society announces the release of HARMONY, its first global electronic music album, on Wednesday, December 17th, 2025, in commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations. This unprecedented project reimagines cutting-edge electronic music through lush orchestral arrangements, bridging the worlds of electronic and classical music in a powerful statement of global unity.
HARMONY features newly arranged and performed orchestral interpretations of works by some of the world’s most innovative electronic artists, including ARTBAT, Paul van Dyk, Francis Mercier, Kiesza, Sultan + Shepard, KSHMR & Marnik, Mr Tout Le Monde, Lachi and Julio Victoria.
“Electronic music is a universal language that has brought people together from all over the world, spreading peace, positivity and inclusivity,” said Brenda Vongova, Founder and Artistic Director of the UN Chamber Music Society. “Through HARMONY, we are taking
these powerful electronic works and reimagining them in an orchestral setting, creating a sonic bridge between genres, cultures, and communities.“
The album will showcase electronic music works from all regional groups of the world, representing an artistic tapestry of musicians from diverse backgrounds. The project embodies the UN Chamber Music Society’s mission to promote the United Nations’ goals and values through the universal language of music.
SULTAN + SHEPARD: BRIDGING WORLDS THROUGH BEATS
The album features SULTAN + SHEPARD‘s transformative reimagining of their progressive house anthem “RnR”—a collaboration that transcends music to become a powerful statement of unity. The duo—Palestinian-Canadian Ossama Al Sarraf and Jewish-American Ned Shepard—prove that harmony is not just a musical concept, but a way of life. Their partnership embodies the very essence of the United Nations’ founding principles, demonstrating that understanding between peoples, cultures, and sounds can build the peace our world desperately needs.
In this groundbreaking collaboration with the UN Chamber Music Society, founded by Brenda Vongova in 2016 at the United Nations Headquarters, SULTAN + SHEPARD’s “RnR” is reimagined through a classical and global lens. The partnership becomes deeply symphonic—uniting electronic innovation with orchestral diplomacy, fusing electronic music energy with the same mission that brings together musicians from around the world to promote UN values of peace, respect for human rights, and international cooperation.
When a Palestinian-Canadian and a Jewish-American transform beats into bridges, and electronic music anthems into chamber music, they don’t just make history—they make hope audible. This chamber music ensemble interpretation embodies what the UN Charter champions: that cultural exchange and artistic collaboration can forge pathways to understanding in even the most complex global relationships.
KIESZA’S “GO BACK” TO LEAD ALBUM RELEASE
Alongside SULTAN + SHEPARD’s “RnR”, on release day, the album will spotlight Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kiesza’s electrifying track “Go Back” as the featured single. Known for her genre-defying artistry and powerful vocal performances, Kiesza has captivated audiences worldwide with her ability to seamlessly blend pop sensibilities with electronic innovation. Her internationally acclaimed hits and dynamic stage presence have established her as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary music. The orchestral reimagining of “Go Back” showcases Kiesza’s distinctive sound through a stunning classical lens, creating an emotionally resonant centerpiece that embodies the HARMONY project’s vision of uniting musical worlds. This track serves as the perfect introduction to an album that celebrates both artistic excellence and global unity.
ARTBAT: A VOICE OF RESILIENCE FROM EASTERN EUROPE
Ukrainian electronic music duo ARTBAT joins forces with the UN Chamber Music Society to transform their track “Horizon” into a powerful orchestral statement representing Eastern Europe. This collaboration takes on special meaning as the UN continues its critical humanitarian support to Ukraine, demonstrating how artistic partnership can amplify the organization’s commitment to international solidarity and relief efforts.
A CELEBRATION OF GLOBAL UNITY
The HARMONY project will culminate in a high-profile virtual concert on December 17th, 2025, in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, to be broadcast internationally through the global platforms of the United Nations: UN Web TV and UN YouTube, reaching audiences across the globe.
The event will feature an opening message from H.E. Mr. António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, with welcome addresses by Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, and Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.
“By celebrating the works of composers from diverse backgrounds, we help to realign the world of electronic music – symbolizing our hopes of building bridges of understanding of human rights,” Vongova added.
THE ALBUM: A GLOBAL ELECTRONIC MUSICAL JOURNEY
HARMONY takes listeners on a journey across continents, with each track representing a different region of the world:
- WESTERN EUROPE: Paul van Dyk – “For An Angel”
- EASTERN EUROPE: ARTBAT – “Horizon”
- ASIA: KSHMR & Marnik – “Bazaar”
- NORTH AMERICA:
– Kiesza – “Go Back”
– Sultan + Shepard – “RnR” - LATIN AMERICA
– Julio Victoria – “Todo se detiene (Everything comes to a halt)” featuring Lalo Cortés
– Francis Mercier – “Ayibobo (Freedom)” featuring Lenny Auguste - AFRICA: Lachi – “We Be Stars”
- WESTERN EUROPE: Mr Tout Le Monde – “Wonderful World”
Each track has been meticulously arranged for chamber ensemble by acclaimed arrangers including A Bu, Donovan Seidle, Pedro Sarmiento, and the artists themselves, and performed by the talented musicians of the UN Chamber Music Society: Josh Liu (Violin), Tristan Siegel (Violin), Marco Sabatini (Viola), Elena Ariza (Cello), Elisabeth Chang (Cello), Joseph Ehrenpreis (Guitar), and Brenda Vongova (Piano).
Presave album here
PRODUCTION EXCELLENCE
HARMONY was recorded at Klavierhaus by Mumeneer, the venue’s resident engineers, and co-produced by Lawrence Lui and Brenda Vongova. Mix engineering and mastering were handled by Mickey Alexander, with additional mixing contributions by Julio Victoria for “Todo se detiene”. The album’s striking cover artwork, “Folding Time,” is by renowned artist Maria Kreyn.
BAMPIRE MUSIC DRIVES INNOVATIVE PROJECT FORWARD
This groundbreaking release is brought to audiences through BAMPIRE Music, the visionary music company dedicated to pushing creative boundaries and fostering meaningful cultural collaborations. BAMPIRE’s expertise in bridging artistic communities and championing innovative music projects has been instrumental in bringing the HARMONY album to life, ensuring this historic celebration of the United Nations’ 80th Anniversary reaches global audiences. Through strategic promotion and unwavering commitment to artistic excellence, BAMPIRE continues to redefine the intersection of music, culture, and social impact.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
The HARMONY album brings together an extraordinary lineup of global electronic music talent:
- Paul van Dyk – Legendary German DJ and producer, Grammy nominee
- ARTBAT – Ukrainian electronic music duo
- Kiesza – Canadian singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist
- KSHMR – Indian-American DJ, record producer, and musician
- Lachi – Award-winning blind and deaf recording artist and disability advocate from Nigeria
- Francis Mercier – Canadian-Haitian DJ and producer
- Mr Tout Le Monde – Innovative French electronic music producer
- Sultan + Shepard – Palestinian-Canadian and Jewish-American and production duo
- Julio Victoria – Rising Colombian electronic music artist
SUPPORTING HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS
100% of the UN Chamber Music Society’s streams will be donated to the humanitarian efforts of the United Nations – through the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA). The UN Chamber Music Society encourages supporters to donate to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), managed by UN OCHA. Donations can be made at https://cerf.un.org/donate.
ABOUT THE UN CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
Founded in 2016 by Brenda Vongova, the UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council is dedicated to promoting the United Nations’ goals and values through the universal language of music. The Society brings together talented musicians to create performances that celebrate diversity, foster dialogue, and advance the principles of peace, human rights, and international cooperation.
Special thanks to the UN Department of Global Communications, Kurosh Nasseri, and Daniel Berrocal for their support of this groundbreaking project.
ABOUT THE UNITED NATIONS
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. Currently made up of 193 Member States, the UN and its work are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter. The UN has evolved over the years to keep pace with a rapidly changing world. But one thing has stayed the same: it remains the one place on earth where all the world’s nations can gather together, discuss common problems, and find shared solutions that benefit all of humanity.
