The Pietà, a classic image from Christian art, shows the Virgin Mary in a sober setting with no distractions, with her arms around an adult Jesus on her lap: on the dead body, the wounds of his crucifixion are still fresh, the head hangs back lifelessly. A raw and intense image, but it does not only represent grief and loss. It also reminds us of a mother's primal love for her child, of the strength and redemption hidden within.

Slovak Vladimir Godar's quiet, slow and almost sacred music effortlessly bridges the gap between the polyphony of Giaches de Wert, Vivaldi's sparkling Stabat Mater and the deeply faith-inspired compositions of contemporary masters such as Arvo Pärt and James MacMillan. The ultimate drama of a mother losing her child takes on deeper meaning in all this music - the bitter sadness comes hand in hand with hope for acceptance and the experience of absolute love.