Island in Space

Text: Russell Schweickart, Archibald MacLeish and includes “Dona Nobis Pacem.”

“You realize that on that small spot is everything that means anything to you,” declared Schweickart, “— all history, all poetry, all music … all death, birth, love, tears … all on that small spot… I hope that people are able as they listen to Mechem’s setting to place themselves, momentarily at least, in a space where they can in some sense look back not only at the earth as I did, but also at humankind and where we are going as a people, as a life form, as we move into the future.”

“Island in Space” has been performed in many countries. On Oct. 11, 2019, the Londinium Choir, London, UK, Andrew Griffiths, conductor, performed “Island in Space” in a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing on the moon.

Press and Commentary

“…reverent and astonishing…A spacious piece of music with room for the silence of the universe. The audience was visibly enthusiastic and demanded an encore.”
— Muenchner Merkur, Germany

“’Island in Space’ is the most inspired and breathtaking piece I’ve ever heard. It’s a gift to mankind.”
— Sean Deibler, conductor, Music Group of Philadelphia