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December is the month most associated with good deeds, charitable works and such. But for George Mathew (PHOTO: Chris Lee), a Singapore-born Indian-American conductor of Western classical music, January is his month for trying to change the world.
Three times in four years, he has used his talents and connections to help a worthy cause. On Jan. 23, 2006, he organized and conducted "Beethoven's Ninth for South Asia" - a major Carnegie Hall fundraiser for the 2005 Kashmir quake. On Jan. 22, 2007, he organized and conducted "Requiem for Darfur," another Carnegie Hall concert, this time for the victims of the awful atrocities in Darfur.
And on Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, Mathew is back with the biggest of his charity concerts. "Mahler for the Children of AIDS," at Carnegie Hall, will, according to the press release below, "raise funds and public awareness for pediatric AIDS and the Prevention-of-Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV worldwide but especially in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The evening will serve as a memorial for the millions of mothers and children who have lost their lives, a tribute to the resilience of the survivors, and an urgent call for help to the global community" (see full press release below).
Here's a what Nobel Laureate Bishop Desmond Tutu, who is an adviser to the project, had to say: "MAHLER FOR THE CHILDREN OF AIDS echoes Mahler's own words scribbled into the manuscript of this Symphony, – 'Father, let no creature be lost!' – Your community of artists and humanitarians alike makes that call resound across the continents. You are giving voice to the voiceless, hidden suffering of HIV/AIDS that must be heard by the world. I will be there with you in spirit."
SAJA presents a music-filled webcast with Mathew, two days before Christmas, to talk about the new concert; the world of Western classical music; his efforts to raise interest in the form in the US and in India; and to discuss what it is like to be a South Asian at the highest levels of this kind of music (you'll see from the advisory board below that two brothers who have been at that level for decades - legendary conductor Zubin Mehta and, on the business side, Zarin Mehta, the president of the New York Philharmonic - are supporters of his work).
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
10-11 pm NY time
that's Wednesday morning 8:30-9:30 am India time
and Wednesday morning 11 am-noon Singapore time
See local time around the world: http://bit.ly/RW1P
Listen live or to a recording:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/saja/2008/12/24/MUSIC-George-Mathew-conductor
(you can go and set an e-mail reminder for yourself)
or listen live via your phone by dialing this NYC number +1-347-324-5991
[send your questions/comments via e-mail to saja@columbia.edu (subject
= webcast) or by posting them in comments section below; see the full archives of SAJA webcasts: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/saja]
In a YouTube video, Mathew talks about his latest concert:
- - -
Listen to a recording of George Mathew conducting Dvorak's Eighth Symphony Movement III (Manhattan School of Music Philharmonia, February 2003):
During the webcast, Mathew will explain various aspects of Mahler's Third Symphony and why he selected it to drive this concert. These are the excerpts we will play - and he will explain:
1. Mahler's Third Symphony: Movement IV (1:09)...
2. Mahler's Third Symphony: Movement V (1:13)...
3. Mahler's Third Symphony: Movement VI beginning (0:47)...
4.Mahler's Third Symphony: Movement VI middle (1:10)...
5.Mahler's Third Symphony: Movement VI ending (1:36)...
All the pieces above are from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Nov. 24, 1998
Mezzo-Soprano: Michelle DeYoung
Conductor: Jesús López-Cobos
Label: Telarc
[PRESS RELEASE]
Lois Cohn, 917.339.7187, lcohn[at]cohndutcher.com
Dan Dutcher, 917.339.7157, ddutcher[at]cohndutcher.com
Laura Malick, 917.339.7183, lmalick[at]cohndutcher.com
MAHLER FOR THE CHILDREN OF AIDS
www.mahlerforthechildren.org
WHO: Artistic Director and Conductor George Mathew | Mezzo-soprano Susanne Mentzer | Concertmaster Glenn Dicterow | Posthornist Matthew Muckey | Trombonist Joseph Alessi
Musicians from Major International Orchestras around the World and Major Choral Ensembles in New York City
WHEN: 8:00 p.m. | Monday January 12, 2009
WHERE: Isaac Stern Auditorium / Perelman Family Stage | Carnegie Hall | New York, NY
PROGRAM: Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 3 in D Minor
PRESS TICKETS: Laura Malick, 917.339.7183, lmalick[at]cohndutcher.com
New York, NY — A benefit concert featuring Gustav Mahler's monumental Third Symphony will be held at 8:00pm on Monday, January 12, 2009 in the Isaac Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall. The concert will raise funds and public awareness for pediatric AIDS and the Prevention-of-Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV worldwide but especially in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The evening will serve as a memorial for the millions of mothers and children who have lost their lives, a tribute to the resilience of the survivors, and an urgent call for help to the global community.
The performance, organized and led by Indian conductor George Mathew, will feature some of the finest orchestral musicians from every continent, which include principal artists from: the New York Philharmonic; The MET Orchestra; The Philadelphia Orchestra; Orchestra of St. Luke's; Buffalo Philharmonic; Minnesota Orchestra; Brooklyn Philharmonic; Emerson String Quartet; students, graduates and faculty of The Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music; and other major international orchestras and ensembles. Serving as concertmaster is Glenn Dicterow, concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic, and featured soloists include mezzo-soprano Susanne Mentzer, trombonist Joseph Alessi, principal trombone of the New York Philharmonic, and posthornist Matthew Muckey, Associate principal Trumpet of the New York Philharmonic. The concert also features the Women of The Dessoff Symphonic Choir, James Bagwell, Music Director; The Cathedral Choristers of The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, Bruce Neswick Conductor; and the Children's Choir of St. Ignatius Loyola, Mary Huff, Director.
According to George Mathew, Artistic Director and Conductor, "Mahler's magisterial Third Symphony speaks with a sternness and immediacy to the global community to act responsibly today. Tomorrow will be too late for too many."
Mahler for the Children of AIDS is presented by Catholic Medical Mission Board (www.cmmb.org), a leader in the global HIV/AIDS and humanitarian health care arena.
"Dimitri Mitropoulos, Bruno Walter and Leonard Bernstein made Mahler, and especially this Third Symphony, familiar music for us. But beyond familiar music, there is this astounding resonance with the central issues of Pediatric AIDS, seemingly woven into the musical fabric. The voice of an older woman rising out of the twilight texture of the fourth movement, exhorting all of us - but especially 'Men' - to pay attention. Then silence. And out of that silence we hear the voices of children and of women, singing about guilt and shame in the context of the medieval "Holy Children's Begging Song" that is the fifth movement. And that is more powerful than we can describe, because guilt and shame are at the root of the stigma that allows Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV to even exist at a time when we have the ability to prevent it...and prevent it totally." – George Mathew, conductor
MAHLER FOR THE CHILDREN OF AIDS is the third in a series of global humanitarian concerts that George Mathew has conceived and presented at Carnegie Hall, gathering together artists from the world's finest orchestras, ensembles and music schools for humanitarian causes while employing the music itself as their central source of energy. Mathew drew inspiration from the success of BEETHOVEN'S NINTH FOR SOUTH ASIA, a January 2006 concert for survivors of the devastating 2005 earthquake in Pakistan, and the 2007 REQUIEM FOR DARFUR, hosted by Mia Farrow.
"George Mathew has organized a unique group of world-renowned artists augmented by young talented musicians to make a symphonic statement to the world. The message is that we should all be united in spirit, harmony and purpose. Music has no barriers of language or culture, and we must reach out to communicate this message. We also have a duty to be there for each other in times of need. Hopefully our community of artists will create a musical experience showing that mutual care and understanding can make a difference in the world especially in these difficult times." - Glenn Dicterow, concertmaster, New York Philharmonic and MAHLER FOR THE CHILDREN OF AIDS
ARTISTS
Singaporean-born Indian conductor George Mathew returns for his third humanitarian concert at Carnegie Hall in January 2009, as Artistic Director and Conductor of Mahler for the Children of AIDS. Mathew made his Carnegie Hall debut in January 2006 as Artistic Director and Conductor of Beethoven's Ninth for South Asia, a benefit concert for survivors of the devastating earthquake of 2005. In January 2007, Mathew served as Artistic Director for Requiem for Darfur, a benefit performance of the Verdi Requiem hosted by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow, to aid and highlight the plight of the survivors and refugees of the ongoing conflicts in Darfur and Chad. He organized both concerts, bringing together global leaders from the musical, philanthropic, business, academic, governmental and diplomatic communities. George Mathew graduated in 2003 from Manhattan School of Music with the Postgraduate Diploma in Conducting after studies under Czech conductor Zdenek Macal and George Manahan. Mr. Mathew served on the conducting staff at the Manhattan School of Music from 2003 – 2006, and has been assistant conductor for the Brooklyn Philharmonic since January 2007. George has also held teaching positions in the music schools of Amherst College, the University of Minnesota, and Tufts University where he served as Director of Orchestral Studies. In October 2007, Mathew made his conducting debut at the United Nations. His recent conducting activities have taken him to several orchestras and opera companies in the U.S., India, and Europe. Mr. Mathew's mentors have included Sir Colin Davis, Sergiu Comissiona, Gunther Schuller, and the distinguished American conducting pedagogue Kenneth Kiesler. He is also a magna cum laude graduate of Amherst College and an alumnus of the University of Minnesota and Duke University.
Violinist Glenn Dicterow made his solo debut at age 11 with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and has won honors including the Young Musicians Foundation Award, the Coleman Award, and the Bronze Medal in the International Tchaikovsky Competition. In 1967 he made his New York Philharmonic solo debut, and in 1980 he joined the Orchestra as Concertmaster (The Charles E. Culpeper Chair). He also appears with the orchestra as a soloist every year. Other solo engagements have taken Mr. Dicterow from Los Angeles to Montreal, as well as to the Leipzig Gewandhaus and Hong Kong Philharmonic. His discography includes solo performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic; recital and chamber music; and violin solos on the sound tracks for films including The Turning Point, The Untouchables, Altered States, Beauty and the Beast, and Interview with the Vampire. He is on the faculty of The Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music, and is a founding member of The Lyric Piano Quartet, which is in residence at Queens College.
Susanne Mentzer, a celebrated mezzo-soprano specializing in the music of Rossini, Strauss, Mozart, Berlioz and Mahler, has appeared with some of the greatest opera companies, orchestras and festivals in North America and Europe, as well as the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, and on tour to Japan with the Metropolitan Opera, Mostly Mozart and the Bavarian State Opera. As a specialist in trouser roles, most notably for her portrayals of Cherubino (Le Nozze di Figaro), Strauss' Der Komponist (Ariadne auf Naxos) and Octavian (Der Rosenkavailer), she is also noted for her bel canto style, lauded for her performances of Bellini's Romeo in I Capuleti ed i Montecchi, Adalgisa in Norma, Jane Seymour in Donizetti's Anna Bolena and Rossini's heroines in Barbiere di Siviglia and La Cenerentola. Ms. Mentzer also enjoys a significant concert and recital career, with a particular interest in chamber music.
In addition to her active performance career, Ms. Mentzer is Professor of Voice at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music in Houston, and frequently gives master classes and adjudicates competitions throughout the country. From 1991-2006 Susanne Mentzer organized the annual Jubilate benefit concert featuring stars of the opera and dance world to support Chicago's Bonaventure House, a residence for people living with AIDS.
Joseph Alessi, Principal Trombone of the New York Philharmonic and faculty member of The Juilliard School, was a soloist with the San Francisco Symphony before continuing his musical training at Philadelphia's Curtis Institute of Music. Prior to joining the Philharmonic, Mr. Alessi was second trombone of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and principal trombone of L'Orchestre symphonique de Montreal. He was appointed Principal Trombone of the New York Philharmonic in the spring of 1985. In addition, he has performed as guest principal trombonist with the London Symphony Orchestra in Carnegie Hall led by Pierre Boulez. Mr. Alessi is an active soloist, recitalist, and chamber music performer. In April 1990 he made his solo debut with the New York Philharmonic, performing Creston's Fantasy for Trombone; in 1992, he premiered Christopher Rouse's Pulitzer Prize-winning Trombone Concerto with the Philharmonic, commissioned for the orchestra's 150th anniversary celebration; and in 2007, he was the featured soloist in the world premiere performance of Melinda Wagner's Trombone Concerto. He has also appeared as a guest soloist with orchestras and concert bands all over the world, and participated in a number of international music festivals. In 2002, Mr. Alessi was awarded an International Trombone Association Award for his contributions to the world of trombone music and trombone playing.
Matthew Muckey, Associate Principal Trumpet of the New York Philharmonic, will also be featured as a Posthorn soloist in this performance of Mahler's Third Symphony. Mr. Muckey joined the Philharmonic in June 2006 after graduating from Northwestern University, where he received a bachelor's degree in music and studied with Charles Geyer and Barbara Butler. A native of Sacramento, California, he has appeared as soloist with the Omaha Symphony, Sacramento Philharmonic, California Wind Orchestra, Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra, and on NPR's program "From the Top". He has also played with the Boston Pops Orchestra, New World Symphony, and Chicago Civic Orchestra. Mr. Muckey was a Fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center during the summers of 2003 - 2005, and was the recipient of the Roger Voisin Award in 2004 and 2005.
The Choirs
The Dessoff Choirs, led by Music Director James Bagwell, is one of New York City's leading choruses. Founded in 1924 by Margarete Dessoff, it has established a reputation for pioneering performances of choral works from the pre-Baroque era through the 21st century. The "s" in Choirs connotes the group's various ensembles, including a large Symphonic Choir that appears with major orchestras, a mixed ensemble of 75 voices, and a smaller Chamber Choir assembled for more intimate works.
The Cathedral Choristers of The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine consists of about twenty-eight students, ages 9 to 14, from The Cathedral School. The choristers, led by Music Director Bruce Neswick, sing at The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine during Sunday services, as well as in concerts and tours, both locally and internationally. Past tours have taken them to various destinations, from Washington D.C. and Florida, to England and Japan.
The Children's Choir of St. Ignatius Loyola, led by director Mary Huff, consists of children ages 11 – 14. The choir participates monthly in Sunday liturgies, and annually in a Christmas Concert program, at The Church of St. Ignatius Loyola. The Choir has also appeared in professional concerts ever since its May 2006 performance of Mendelssohn's Paulus in the church's "Sacred Music in a Sacred Space" concert series.
Orchestras Represented in Mahler for the Children of AIDS
New York Philharmonic
MET Orchestra
Orchestra of St. Luke's
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Minnesota Orchestra
Brooklyn Philharmonic
American Composers Orchestra
New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
Miami Symphony Orchestra
Knights Chamber Orchestra
Louisiana Philharmonic
New Haven Symphony Orchestra
Albany Symphony Orchestra
Hartford Symphony Orchestra
Hamburg Chamber Orchestra (Germany)
National Youth Orchestra of the Netherlands
National Youth Orchestra of South Africa
Verbier Festival Youth Orchestra
European Union Youth Orchestra
Youth Orchestra of the Americas
Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas
Florida Symphony Orchestra
Florida Grand Opera Orchestra
New York City Ballet Orchestra
Seattle Symphony Orchestra
Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra
Key West Symphony Orchestra
Lexington Philharmonic
Kansas City Symphony Orchestra
Buffalo Philharmonic
New World Symphony
Eastern Cape Philharmonic (South Africa)
Emerson Quartet
Lark Chamber Artists
Schools Represented Include
The Juilliard School
Manhattan School of Music
Mannes College of Music
Curtis Institute of Music
Northwestern University School of Music
Indiana University School of Music
Yale School of Music
Sydney Conservatorium
Royal Academy of Music (London)
New England Conservatory of Music
ABOUT THE BENEFICIARY
Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) works collaboratively to provide quality healthcare programs and services without discrimination to people in need around the world. CMMB serves as the fiscal sponsor for the concert. As the United States' leading faith-based charitable organization focused exclusively on global healthcare, CMMB collaborates with partners to support healthcare projects in resource-poor countries that address HIV and AIDS, child health and neglected diseases. CMMB represents an unmatched capability by combining its on-the-ground programs, medical volunteers, and medical donations efforts in an integrated way.
Children have been at the core of CMMB's work since it launched its first HIV and AIDS program, Choose to Care, in 2000. With a second HIV and AIDS initiative, Born to Live, the chief focus is prevention of transmission of the AIDS virus from the pregnant mother to her unborn child. Choose to Care worked with more than 140 community-based organizations in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland, providing palliative and orphan care. Since its inception, in 2001 in Kenya and South Africa, Born to Live, has successfully tested more than 65,000 pregnant women and administered antiretroviral therapy to thousands of mothers and infants.
http://www.cmmb.org
JANUARY 12, 2009 AT 8:00 P.M.
MAHLER Symphony No. 3 in D Minor
For more information about the concert and ways to get involved, contact: mgalbraith@cmmb.org or 212.609.2572. Sponsorship opportunities from $2,500-$50,000 are available - Contact mahler[at]cmmb.org or 212.609.2572 to learn more.
For Press Tickets Contact: Laura Malick, Cohn Dutcher Associates | 917-339-7183 | lmalick[at]cohndutcher.com
MAHLER FOR THE CHILDREN OF AIDS
HONORARY ADVISORY BOARD
Alexander S. Bernstein
President
Leonard Bernstein Family Foundation, Inc.
Catherine M. Cahill
President and CEO
Mann Center for the Performing Arts
John Corigliano
Academy Award and Pulitzer Laureate
Composer
Sir Colin Davis
President, London Symphony Orchestra
Glenn Dicterow
Concertmaster, New York Philharmonic
Aaron Dworkin
Founder and President
The Sphinx Organization
Philippe Entremont
Music Director, Vienna Chamber Orchestra
Dir. American Conservatory Fontainebleau
JoAnn Falletta
Music Director, Buffalo Philharmonic
Ambassador Mariano Fernández
Ambassador of Chile to the United States
Walter Frisch
Professor of Music, Columbia University
John F. Galbraith
President and CEO
Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB)
Kenneth Kiesler
American Conductor and Pedagogue
Kenneth M. Kramer, Esq.
Shearman & Sterling LLP
Christopher Lydon
Host, Radio Open Source
George Mathew (ex officio)
Artistic Director
Mahler for the Children of AIDS
Ambassador Thomas Matussek
Permanent Representative of Germany to the United Nations
Zarin Mehta
President and Executive Director
New York Philharmonic
Zubin Mehta
Music Director, Israel Philharmonic
Principal Conductor, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Peter M. O'Neill
Rockefeller Family Committee
Jesse Rosen
President and CEO
League of American Orchestras
Gunther Schuller
Pulitzer Prize Laureate
Composer and Conductor
Robert Sirota
President, Manhattan School of Music
Lewis Spratlan
Pulitzer Prize Laureate
Composer and Conductor
Karan Trehan
Chairman and CEO, Ankar Capital LLC
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town
Ambassador Christian Wenaweser
Permanent Representative of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the United Nations
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Megan Galbraith, CMMB
Kenneth M. Kramer, Esq.
Dr. Rabia Mathai, CMMB
George Mathew
Karan Trehan
Barbara Wright, CMMB
Consul Falastin Shakhtur-Said, Consul of Chile in New York
