Lang Lang Young Scholars Concert
On Thursday, June 13th, the Lang Lang Young Scholars presented their first in a series of concerts. The night was filled with magic and music.
"We believe that music has the power to make the world a better place and with the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, we strive to achieve this every day,'' declared CEO Leszek Barwinski-Brown, as he welcomed a capacity audience to their first Young Scholars Concert at Steinway Hall. Lang Lang himself chose the performers--- offering a note to the program, "My wife, Gina Alice, and I send our love and support . You’ll forgive us for not being there as were on our honeymoon in China.”
A disarming talented and stunning Aliya Alsafa, 14, played Ravel, Mozart, Liszt and Morton Gould. With remarkable command. Amir Siraj 19, now an alumnus of the program, played Mozart, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff. Currently he’s at Harvard, studying both piano and astrophysics (and a member of the Steinway Young Artist program).
Among the audience were board members David Hyrck, Kyle Wool, plus his wife Soo Yu. Also guests Teri Agins, Lady Liliana Cavendish, Joanna Fisher, Stephanie and John Foster, Barrett Frelinghuysen, Michèle Gerber Klein, Luchia Hwong Gordon, Sylvia Hemingway, Kate and Gary Parr, Sana Sabbagh, Klara and Larry Silverstein, Mengmeng Wang, and Victoria Wyman
Leszek Barwinski-Brown closed the concert saying, "Without your friendship, we could have never accomplished and of this" A Moët & Chandon reception followed.
Photos courtesy of Lang Lang Young Scholars
Friends of the Budapest Festival Orchestra Gala
Photos by Annie Watt
On Saturday, April 6th, the Budapest Festival Orchestra held their annual gala at the prestigious Carnegie Hall. Founded in 1983 by Iván Fischer and Zoltán Kocsis, the Budapest Festival Orchestra is recognized as one of the ten leading orchestras of the world. It is adored by audiences and applauded by international critics for its intensive and emotionally gripping performances. This year’s honorary chairs were Ambassador and Mrs. Donald Blinken, Renée Fleming, and Governor and Mrs. George Pataki. The evening began with cocktails and dinner in the Weill Music Room.
Sylvia Hemingway, Ivan Fischer, Libby Pataki, Vera Blinken, Ambassador Donald Blinken, Daisy Soros, Governor George Pataki
Laine Siklos and Heidi-Lee Komaromi
Maestro Iván Fischer made a dramatic entrance direct from a rehearsal and warmly greeting his old friend and chairman emeritus, Daisy Soros. At dinner, chairman Stephen Benko said, "We have so much to celebrate here. A return to Carnegie Hall is always special. Tonight will be stunning," followed by a warm and effusive Maestro Fisher, “I would like to hug everybody in this room. It is wonderful to be among our American friends. All of you should be mentioned tonight…”
Richard Gaddes, Noémi Neidorff, Ivan Fischer
The evening’s co-chairs were Sylvia Hemingway, Heidi-Lee-Komaromi, Christine Schott Ledes, Laine Siklos, and Stephanie Stokes.
Guests included: Susan Bender, Layla Diba, Martin Hoffman, Sylvia Hemingway, Noémi and Michael Neidorff, Alexandra Nicklas, Reni Rothschild, Sana Sabbagh, Donald and Barbara Tober, Suzanne Vega and Paul L. Mills, and Victoria Wyman.
Sylvia Hemingway, Antónia Bodó, Nurit Kahane Kasse, Stephen E. Benko
Paul Mills, Suzanne Vega
The evening’s gala committee included: Ambassador Colleen Bell, Susan Bender, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Buckfire, Aaron Feinstein, Andrew Komaromi, Mr. and Mrs. John Merey, Peter Thomas Roth, Emese Tardy-Green, and David Tobey.
The Budapest Festival Orchestra will return to New York August 4th for the Mostly Mozart Festival. Friends will be invited to the annual private Hamptons Summer Chamber Concert. The Orchestra will also perform at the Hollywood Bowl July 30, August 1st and 6th. If you have a chance to see them - DO.
Photos by Annie Watt