The Los Angeles Korean-American Musicians Association (LAKMA), one of Southern California's leading multicultural orchestras, will present Ludwig van Beethoven's monumental Missa Solemnis in D Major, Op. 123 for the first time in the history of the Korean-American community, delivering a powerful message of peace, friendship, and unity through music.

Under the leadership of President Seung Ho Choi and Music Director Yim Sang Yoon, LAKMA will hold its 15th Annual Concert, titled "Friendship & Harmony," on Saturday, August 8, at the world-renowned Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles.

Presented under the subtitle "Prayers for Peace with LAKMA and Friends," the concert reflects a heartfelt response to the wars, conflicts, and divisions affecting many parts of the world today. Through the universal language of music, the performance seeks to inspire hope, reconciliation, and lasting peace.

Over the past fifteen years, LAKMA has grown from an orchestra primarily composed of Korean-American musicians into a truly multicultural ensemble. Today, it includes artists from diverse backgrounds, including Taiwan, the Jewish community, African Americans, Ukraine, Türkiye, and many other cultural traditions. This year's performance will also welcome Filipino musicians, bringing together performers representing more than twelve nations on one stage.

The first half of the program opens with Jean Sibelius' "Finlandia," the celebrated symphonic poem symbolizing Finland's struggle for independence and freedom.

The program will also feature Los Angeles' distinguished Filipino choir Filharmonica/Laló, presenting works inspired by traditional Filipino melodies and indigenous instruments in celebration of peace and cultural harmony.

In addition, Korean composer Heung Ryul Lee's beloved children's song "Island Child" and Mozart's "Dona Nobis Pacem" will be performed in newly arranged versions by composer Nak Geum Baek, offering a musical bridge across generations.

The second half of the evening will feature the complete performance of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis, widely regarded as one of the greatest masterpieces of Western sacred music and the pinnacle of the composer's late creative period.

Renowned for its extraordinary musical complexity, immense scale, and profound spiritual depth, Missa Solemnis is considered one of the most challenging choral works ever written and is rarely presented in its entirety, even by major orchestras and concert halls around the world. This concert marks the first complete performance of the work within the Korean-American community.

Featured soloists include tenor Wi Young Oh, soprano Natalie Buikians, mezzo-soprano Talin Nalbandian, and bass Steve Pence.

Beethoven envisioned Missa Solemnis not simply as a liturgical composition but as a universal expression of humanity's longing for peace and reconciliation. At the beginning of the score, he famously inscribed the words:

"Von Herzen – möge es wieder zu Herzen gehen!"

("From the heart—may it return to the heart.")

The work concludes with "Dona Nobis Pacem" ("Grant Us Peace"), a deeply moving prayer expressing Beethoven's hope that humanity may overcome war and conflict to embrace lasting peace. LAKMA's performance seeks to bring this timeless message into today's world.

"Through this concert, musicians from many cultures and nations will come together to celebrate friendship, harmony, and peace," a LAKMA representative said. "We hope this performance will offer comfort, inspiration, and hope to everyone living in these challenging times."

For more information, visit TheLAKMA.org or call (213) 924-7563.

By Hoon Goo Lee