FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 SEATTLE (December 1, 2004) – For the second consecutive year, Music of Remembrance has been awarded a prestigious grant from the Aaron Copland Fund. Based in New York, the Aaron Copland Fund for Music Performing Ensembles Program supports selected organizations whose performances advance public knowledge and appreciation of serious contemporary American music.
The $4,000 Aaron Copland Fund award is in support of Music of Remembrance’s programming for its current concert season, which includes last month’s concert and the upcoming spring concert in May. Music of Remembrance’s November 2004 concert, commemorating Kristallnacht, featured the world premiere of a new English version of Paul Schoenfield’s critically-acclaimed Camp Songs, commissioned by Music of Remembrance.
MOR’s Holocaust Remembrance concert, In Defiance!, on May 9, 2005 features the world premiere of Lori Laitman's The Seed of Dream. Commissioned by MOR, Laitman’s song cycle is based on the poetry of Holocaust survivor Abraham Sutzkever. Imprisoned in the Vilna ghetto, Sutzkever continued to write poems of classical meter and perfect rhyme, juxtaposing their beauty against the unspeakable barbarity of the Nazi regime. The program also includes the Divertimento from composer David Schiff's musical setting of Isaac Bashevis Singer's popular tale of Gimpel the Fool, the String Quartet no. 1 (1924) by Erwin Schulhoff, and the world premiere of cabaret songs composed by prisoners in the Terezin concentration camp (1941-45). The event will include a pre-concert lecture by David Schiff as part of our “Meet the Composer” series, and a concert prelude in memory of the victims of the Holocaust by the first recipient of the David Tonkonogui Memorial Award, thirteen-year old cellist Julian Schwarz.
Music of Remembrance (MOR) is a unique Seattle-based chamber music organization dedicated to the musical legacy of the Holocaust. MOR gathers top-tier performers in concerts of works composed during the Holocaust era and in its aftermath. Its ambitious commissioning program has produced new compositions by Paul Schoenfield, David Stock and Thomas Pasatieri. Schoenfield’s Camp Songs, was a 2003 Pulitzer Prize finalist. MOR’s first CD release, Art from Ashes, Vol. 1, was a 2003 Grammy nominee.
MUSIC OF REMEMBRANCE 7TH SEASON
Monday, May 9, 2005, 7:30 pm, In Defiance!
Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall
Ticket Information
General Admission: $25
Phone: 206 365-7770
Fax: 206 364-0136
Online: www.musicofremembrance.org
Groups: 20% discount for groups of 10 or more
Music of Remembrance, PO Box 27500, Seattle, WA 98165-2500
(For press tickets, please contact Mina Miller, 206 365-7770)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 27, 2004
SEATTLE-- MOR President and Artist Director Mina Miller announced today that thirteen-year-old cellist Julian Schwarz is the first recipient of Music of Remembrance’s David Tonkonogui Memorial Award.
Music of Remembrance has established the David Tonkonogui Memorial Award in honor of its beloved friend and inspiring colleague, cellist David Tonkonogui (1958-2003). “Along with his wife Mara Finkelstein,” said Miller, “David was a part of Music of Remembrance beginning with our very first concerts in 1998, and his belief in the organization’s mission was a priceless gift. David’s memorable performances with Music of Remembrance included Steve Reich's Different Trains, Osvaldo Golijov's Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind, and Paul Schoenfield's Sparks of Glory. David was also the cellist in the world premiere performance and recording of Schoenfield’s Camp Songs. Through his passionate musicianship, wisdom and generosity, he was an inspiration to countless people.”
 Julian, the son of Gerard and Jody Schwarz, started studying cello with Tonkonogui at age five, and worked closely with him for seven years. David was Julian’s first cello teacher; Julian was the first student to come to David without previous study. Under David’s guidance, Julian prepared the Haydn C Major Cello Concerto, and performed it at Interlochen, as winner of summer 2002 Concerto Competition. Beyond his growth as a young musician, Julian has shown a passion for humanitarian ideas. We believe that David Tonkonogui would be proud that Julian Schwarz is being honored with this award.
Julian commented: "I am extremely honored to win the David Tonkonogui Memorial Award because David was not only my first cello teacher, he was my mentor and my friend. Not a day goes by that I don't remember him with great admiration and love."
The David Tonkonogui Memorial Award, will be made to one young musician each year, as MOR’s effort to recognize the musical and spiritual values which David Tonkonogui expressed through his music and his life. The honor includes a cash award of $500 to support continuing musical studies, and an invitation to perform in a highlighted solo at an MOR concert. Julian Schwarz will perform the opening prelude in memory of the victims of the Holocaust at MOR’s May 9, 2005 concert in Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall.
Music of Remembrance lost a beloved friend and inspiring colleague with the passing of cellist David Tonkonogui in 2003. Along  with his wife Mara, David was a part of Music of Remembrance beginning with our very first concerts, and his belief in the organization’s mission was a priceless gift. David’s memorable performances with Music of Remembrance included Steve Reich's Different Trains, Osvaldo Golijov's Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind, and Paul Schoenfield's Sparks of Glory. David was also the cellist in the world premiere of Schoenfield’s Camp Songs. Through his passionate musicianship, wisdom and generosity he was an inspiration to countless people. David's humanity and artistry have enriched all of our lives.
In his honor, Music of Remembrance has created the David Tonkonogui Memorial Award. This award, made to one young musician each year, is Music of Remembrance’s effort to recognize the musical and spiritual values which David Tonkonogui expressed through his music and his life.
What is the David Tonkonogui Memorial Award?
Each year, one young string musician will be invited to perform in a highlighted solo or ensemble work at one of Music of Remembrance’s Benaroya Hall concerts. The recipient will also receive a cash award of $ 500 to support his or her continuing musical studies.
Who is eligible?
Violinists, cellists, violists and double-bassists under the age of 20 are eligible for the David Tonkonogui Memorial Award. In its first year, the David Tonkonogui Memorial Award will be given to a Seattle cellist.
Nominations, including self-nominations, may be made by letter to Mina Miller, Artistic Director. No tapes or other audio samples are required at this time. All applications for consideration must be addressed to:
Mina Miller, Artistic Director
Music of Remembrance
P.O. Box 27500
Seattle, WA 98165-2500
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