World Orchestra for Peace is a unique collective, comprising leading musicians from more than 40 countries. It was founded in 1995 by Sir Georg Solti in order to show the world the sheer power of music, which is a “universal language that crosses all borders, and unites people”. Valery Gergiev became the leader of the orchestra in 1997.

The year 2003 saw the first ever visit of the orchestra to Russia to play two concerts, in Saint Petersburg and Moscow. The former was to celebrate 300 years of the Northern Capital, the latter was held as part of Moscow Easter Festival.

In 2005, the orchestra led by Valery Gergiev embarked on its first ever tour, to coincide with the 60 years of the end of the Second World War. The musicians played in Beijin’s Forbidden City, as well as in Budapest, Jerusalem, Krakow, Rotterdam, Brussels, and Stockholm. In 2010, the orchestra celebrated its fifteens birthday playing 2 concerts: the traditional BBC Proms, and at Salzburg festival. In July 2014, the orchestra returned to the BBC Proms in order to mark the 100 years of the beginning of the First World War. Those live recordings – as well as some other – were released by Decca/Philips, Cmajor, and Arthaus.

In 2010, the World Orchestra for Peace was the first of the large music ensembles to receive the “UNESCO Artist for Peace” award. Conductor – Valery Gergiev received the prize in 2003.