The individual anthems work together to create a greater whole. Some of the anthems
may be considered very sophisticated, others very simple. Often, what might be thought
of as a dull melody is transformed into something extraordinary simply by being played
at the same time. Occasional dissonances do occur, but invariably time passes and
something beautiful and unexpected takes place a few bars later.
On a personal level when I listen to the piece, questions occur:
What is a nation?
What is the relationship between myself and the rest of mankind?
What is the function of identity?
I am sure you will have your own questions every bit as personal as mine.
This musical structure of bringing individual parts together as a new whole, to be
experienced from different perspectives, echoes what I believe to be at the core
of the United Nations or any other international endeavor.