The chosen work was Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, which includes the Ode To Joy final movement, with words by Friederich Schiller, which has since been adapted as the anthem of the European Union.

It was appropriate, then, that the choir of the University of Luxembourg conducted by Julia Pruy and the chamber choir of the Conservatoire de la Ville de Luxembourg conducted by Pit Nimax were joined by choirs from around Europe.

They included the choir of the Technical University of Bratislava conducted by Petra Torkošová, the choir of the University of Bologna conducted by David Winton, members of the choir of Liverpool Hope University conducted by Philippe Duffy, the choir of the University of Lodz conducted by Andrzej Ryłko and the choir of the University of Vilnius conducted by Rasa Gelgotienė.

The music was provided by the JMH Academy Chamber Orchestra conducted by Jack Martin Händler, while vocal soloists were Marie-Reine Nimax (Soprano), Manou Walesch (Alto), Marc Dostert (Tenor) and Jean-Paul Majerus (Bass).

Prior to the concert the choirs were given a tour of the city and even stopped outgoing prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker in his tracks to sing him a song in Italian.

University of Luxembourg president Rolf Tarrach said after the concert that it was “among the most moving events in my almost nine years at the helm of the University of Luxembourg.”