On September 2, 1945, Japan’s formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri brought an official end to World War II. Eighty years later, Guarneri Hall commemorates this historic moment with a two-day festival that invites us to reflect on the lives of composers and musicians affected by the deadliest armed conflict in human history.

The programs feature musical works composed between 1944 and 1946 along with one contemporary work. In the course of two concerts, we’ll explore their embedded themes of resilience, identity, despair, and hope.