No Man’s Land and Citizen Soldier are historical commemorative pieces. Both pieces are a blend of thoughtfully curated archival imagery from over a dozen countries, with music by 20th century composers who lived—and created—during wartime. Neither piece glorifies violence; the tone is sensitive, humanistic and contemplative.

No Man’s Land is a glimpse into the turbulent period from 1914 to 1918. The poetic montage of WWI photography emphasizes the collision between centuries-old traditions and the emergence of modern warfare that set the stage for the 20th century’s abrupt coming of age.

Citizen Soldier focuses on the period from 1939 to 1945: a time of struggle, sacrifice, and unprecedented economic, industrial, and human mobilization that blurred many distinctions between military and civilian life. The piece reflects on the men and women from the international mix of more than 100 million everyday people who participated in WWII—history’s most widespread conflict.

While both pieces are usually programmed together, orchestras have also programmed them independently.