Musicians For Harmony's Seventh Annual September 11th “Concert for Peace" is Culmination of Cultural and Educational Work with Iraq; Cellist from Baghdad Readies U.S. Premiere of Iraqi “Requiem"
MFH's Landmark Mentorship Initiative uses Webcams to Allow American Musicians to Teach Iraqi Students via 'Distance Learning'
On a number of levels, Musicians For Harmony's Seventh Annual September 11th 'Concert For Peace' marks the culmination of the organization's cultural and educational work with Iraq. The highlight of the event will be the U.S. Premiere of the Iraqi Janan ("Requiem") composed by Mohammed Amin Ezzat for the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra in 2006. The U.S. Premiere of Janan will feature Karim Wasfi (Cello Soloist & Director of INSO), making his New York debut, and will also showcase acclaimed string orchestra The Knights.
MFH Founder Allegra Klein's 2003 and 2007 trips to Iraq set the stage for her organization's 2008 accomplishments. In fact, MFH is proud to see the tangible results of five years of international cultural diplomacy come together on so many levels. The underlying mission of Musicians For Harmony is to promote peace and cultural exchange through music. Klein's organization, founded shortly after September 11, 2001, has earned significant and growing attention for its charitable efforts in the years since. Each fall, they present a concert in New York City featuring internationally renowned classical and world music artists. With regards to Iraq, here is a re-cap of MFH's recent efforts:
Of all the accomplishments mentioned above, Klein is perhaps most proud of Musicians For Harmony's successful and visionary Mentorship Program. Recently referenced in The Wall Street Journal, this is a landmark initiative, marking the first time that American musicians are teaching Iraqi music students via webcam.
As for this year's event, Musicians For Harmony celebrates its Seventh Anniversary “Concert For Peace" with a September 11, 2008 performance at Merkin Hall. In addition to “Requiem," the program will also feature a unique Walt Whitman performance piece -- the World Premiere of two songs from the “Song of Myself" Workshop. The work is based on excerpts from Whitman's renowned poem “Song of Myself," and will feature musicians (including Colin & Eric Jacobsen) both composing and performing for the occasion, and will also incorporate actors and singers into the mix. Another highlight will be “Sounds of Syria," which will feature original compositions by the highly accomplished Syrian clarinetist Kinan Azmeh (who has performed with the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra). Azmeh will also perform “Wedding," a World Premire composed just for MFH, and will be joined by The Knights for this portion of the program. The 2008 'Concert For Peace' will also include a Brahms treat: the beloved String Quintet in G Major, Op. 111 with the Shanghai Quartet and featuring Guarneri Quartet violist Michael Tree.
Musicians For Harmony Presents its 7th Annual “Concert for Peace" Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 7:30 pm Merkin Concert Hall, 129 W. 67th Street, NYC 212-501-3330, Tickets: $35, $75, $125 (includes reception with artists); Students: $10.
Program: Janan ("Requiem") (U.S. Premiere) Composed by Mohammed Amin Ezzat for Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra in 2006 Karim Wasfi, cello & director of INSO (New York debut) The Knights, string orchestra
Brahms, String Quintet in G Major, Op. 111 Shanghai Quartet Michael Tree, viola
Two songs from the “Song of Myself" Workshop (World Premire) Text by Walt Whitman, with original compositions by: Colin Jacobsen, violin Eric Jacobsen, cello Alex Sopp, flute Kyle Sanna, guitar With actor/singer Michael Potts, and others to be announced Conceived and directed by Karin Coonrod
Sounds of Syria Original songs and compositions Kinan Azmeh, clarinet Kyle Sanna, guitar John Hadfield, percussion
Wedding (World Premiere) Composed and performed by Kinan Azmeh, clarinet, with Kyle Sanna, guitar John Hadfield, percussion The Knights, string orchestra
MFH Founder Allegra Klein: Allegra Klein is a tireless advocate for cultural diplomacy, and combines her role as MFH founder with her training as a violinist and music teacher to practice what she preaches, whenever possible. As referenced above, Klein actually had the honor of performing Ezzat's “Requiem" last summer in Erbil, Iraq as a guest of the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra with Karim Wasfi as soloist. The first time she played with INSO was when she traveled to Baghdad in November 2003, so the 2007 reunion was a homecoming of sorts for her.
New Artistic Directors: Musicians For Harmony's newly appointed Artistic Directors are proud to make their mark with the Seventh Annual Concert For Peace. Violinist and composer Colin Jacobsen and his brother, cellist and conductor Eric Jacobsen, took the helm this Spring as the new co- Artistic Directors of the respected organization. Colin Jacobsen, recipient of an Avery Fisher Career Grant, first played to critical acclaim at age fourteen as soloist with the New York Philharmonic under Kurt Masur and performs frequently with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Eric Jacobsen is a founding member, together with his brother Colin, of the string quartet known as Brooklyn Rider and of The Knights. He has appeared with Rene Fleming at the opening of Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, and on Late Show with David Letterman.
Other Educational Initiatives: Proceeds from this year's concert will go toward funding Musicians For Harmony's educational program in Brooklyn. Music of the World Workshops is an after-school program on world music instruments and their related cultures that targets middle- and upper-school students in NYC inner city schools. This initiative is made possible in part through a collaboration with the Brooklyn College Community Partnership. Additionally, in an indication of its growing stature, Musicians For Harmony was recently awarded its second grant to help fund this program from New York City's Department of Cultural Affairs, representing an increase of nearly 50% over last year's award.
MFH's Landmark Mentorship Initiative uses Webcams to Allow American Musicians to Teach Iraqi Students via 'Distance Learning'
On a number of levels, Musicians For Harmony's Seventh Annual September 11th 'Concert For Peace' marks the culmination of the organization's cultural and educational work with Iraq. The highlight of the event will be the U.S. Premiere of the Iraqi Janan ("Requiem") composed by Mohammed Amin Ezzat for the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra in 2006. The U.S. Premiere of Janan will feature Karim Wasfi (Cello Soloist & Director of INSO), making his New York debut, and will also showcase acclaimed string orchestra The Knights.
MFH Founder Allegra Klein's 2003 and 2007 trips to Iraq set the stage for her organization's 2008 accomplishments. In fact, MFH is proud to see the tangible results of five years of international cultural diplomacy come together on so many levels. The underlying mission of Musicians For Harmony is to promote peace and cultural exchange through music. Klein's organization, founded shortly after September 11, 2001, has earned significant and growing attention for its charitable efforts in the years since. Each fall, they present a concert in New York City featuring internationally renowned classical and world music artists. With regards to Iraq, here is a re-cap of MFH's recent efforts:
- The process began when Musicians For Harmony first raised money for the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra five years ago, and then continued with Klein's trips to Iraq in 2003 and 2007.
- While in Iraq, Klein met Karim Wasfi and performed Janan with him and the INSO. She then came up with the idea to bring Wasfi here for his New York debut and the U.S. Premire of this piece (again, part of MFH's mission of promoting cultural diplomacy).
- Also while in Iraq, Klein met the young pianist Zuhal Sultan (now 17 years old) who helped Musicians For Harmony start their landmark Mentorship Program (see more information, below). Sultan became MFH's Global Youth Ambassador, and is now making her solo debut with the orchestra with the help of Prof. Rieko Aizawa, the concert pianist and teacher whom she met last fall through MFH's Mentorship Program.
- Klein also met American conductor Demetrius Fuller, Music Director of Florida's Sinfonia Gulf Coast, who worked with the Iraqi Symphony last summer and is serving as Artistic Consultant for the 9/11/08 collaboration between Wasfi and The Knights.
- Lastly, MFH just received a grant from UNESCO, the education and cultural branch of the United Nations, to expand their Mentorship Program to include masters of Iraqi musical instruments teaching public school students in Brooklyn via webcam ("distance learning").
Of all the accomplishments mentioned above, Klein is perhaps most proud of Musicians For Harmony's successful and visionary Mentorship Program. Recently referenced in The Wall Street Journal, this is a landmark initiative, marking the first time that American musicians are teaching Iraqi music students via webcam.
As for this year's event, Musicians For Harmony celebrates its Seventh Anniversary “Concert For Peace" with a September 11, 2008 performance at Merkin Hall. In addition to “Requiem," the program will also feature a unique Walt Whitman performance piece -- the World Premiere of two songs from the “Song of Myself" Workshop. The work is based on excerpts from Whitman's renowned poem “Song of Myself," and will feature musicians (including Colin & Eric Jacobsen) both composing and performing for the occasion, and will also incorporate actors and singers into the mix. Another highlight will be “Sounds of Syria," which will feature original compositions by the highly accomplished Syrian clarinetist Kinan Azmeh (who has performed with the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra). Azmeh will also perform “Wedding," a World Premire composed just for MFH, and will be joined by The Knights for this portion of the program. The 2008 'Concert For Peace' will also include a Brahms treat: the beloved String Quintet in G Major, Op. 111 with the Shanghai Quartet and featuring Guarneri Quartet violist Michael Tree.
Musicians For Harmony Presents its 7th Annual “Concert for Peace" Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 7:30 pm Merkin Concert Hall, 129 W. 67th Street, NYC 212-501-3330, Tickets: $35, $75, $125 (includes reception with artists); Students: $10.
Program: Janan ("Requiem") (U.S. Premiere) Composed by Mohammed Amin Ezzat for Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra in 2006 Karim Wasfi, cello & director of INSO (New York debut) The Knights, string orchestra
Brahms, String Quintet in G Major, Op. 111 Shanghai Quartet Michael Tree, viola
Two songs from the “Song of Myself" Workshop (World Premire) Text by Walt Whitman, with original compositions by: Colin Jacobsen, violin Eric Jacobsen, cello Alex Sopp, flute Kyle Sanna, guitar With actor/singer Michael Potts, and others to be announced Conceived and directed by Karin Coonrod
Sounds of Syria Original songs and compositions Kinan Azmeh, clarinet Kyle Sanna, guitar John Hadfield, percussion
Wedding (World Premiere) Composed and performed by Kinan Azmeh, clarinet, with Kyle Sanna, guitar John Hadfield, percussion The Knights, string orchestra
MFH Founder Allegra Klein: Allegra Klein is a tireless advocate for cultural diplomacy, and combines her role as MFH founder with her training as a violinist and music teacher to practice what she preaches, whenever possible. As referenced above, Klein actually had the honor of performing Ezzat's “Requiem" last summer in Erbil, Iraq as a guest of the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra with Karim Wasfi as soloist. The first time she played with INSO was when she traveled to Baghdad in November 2003, so the 2007 reunion was a homecoming of sorts for her.
New Artistic Directors: Musicians For Harmony's newly appointed Artistic Directors are proud to make their mark with the Seventh Annual Concert For Peace. Violinist and composer Colin Jacobsen and his brother, cellist and conductor Eric Jacobsen, took the helm this Spring as the new co- Artistic Directors of the respected organization. Colin Jacobsen, recipient of an Avery Fisher Career Grant, first played to critical acclaim at age fourteen as soloist with the New York Philharmonic under Kurt Masur and performs frequently with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Eric Jacobsen is a founding member, together with his brother Colin, of the string quartet known as Brooklyn Rider and of The Knights. He has appeared with Rene Fleming at the opening of Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, and on Late Show with David Letterman.
Other Educational Initiatives: Proceeds from this year's concert will go toward funding Musicians For Harmony's educational program in Brooklyn. Music of the World Workshops is an after-school program on world music instruments and their related cultures that targets middle- and upper-school students in NYC inner city schools. This initiative is made possible in part through a collaboration with the Brooklyn College Community Partnership. Additionally, in an indication of its growing stature, Musicians For Harmony was recently awarded its second grant to help fund this program from New York City's Department of Cultural Affairs, representing an increase of nearly 50% over last year's award.
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