The three-and-a-half-hour multimedia concert, POW Requiem on Saturday afternoon was an extraordinary experience. This was the latest chapter in Chris Latham’s ongoing performance-focused research into the relationship between music, musicians and war. Starting with a concert during the Canberra International Music Festival some years ago when Latham was Director, the concept grew into the Flowers of War project and has now become the Flowers of Peace initiative hosted by the Australian War Memorial where Latham is Artist in Residence. He is to be applauded for marshalling an exceptional gathering of talent and for presenting the brave legacy of Prisoners of War expressed in music.

A rehearsal for the POW Requiem, directed by Christopher Latham for Flowers of Peace. Photo © Peter Hislop

An army of orchestral and choral musicians filled the stage in the Llewellyn Hall, representing the combined forces of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra and instrumental guests from the military, as well as three Chamber Choirs (Flowers of Peace Chorus, Brisbane Chamber Choir, ANU Chamber Choir) and three youth choirs (ANU Vocal Fry, Woden Valley, Kompactus and Canberra Girls Grammar) with Latham conducting the lion’s share of...