Dominique-René de Lerma: Cincinnati.com: Awadagin Pratt has been relieved of his position of artistic director of the Cincinnati World Piano Competition.

Awadagin Pratt (Photo: Provided)

Awadagin Pratt, second from right, shown with leaders of the Cincinnati World Piano Competition are CSO president Trey Devey, left, CCM dean Peter Landgren, executive director Mark Ernster. (Photo: Provided/David Rafie)

Cincinnati.com

July 10, 2015

Janelle Gelfand,
Cincinnati Enquirer

Awadagin Pratt has been relieved of his position of artistic director of the Cincinnati World Piano Competition. The leadership shakeup also includes three board members – including the chairman – who have resigned.

Pratt said on Thursday that he received an e-mail Wednesday evening from executive director Mark Ernster, thanking him for his services which would no longer be needed.

Pratt, who is also a piano professor and artist in residence at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, said that he was surprised by the development.

"I put a ton of work into the competition over the three years, and Mark has said that after the first year, I single-handedly turned around the reputation of the competition," he said. "I don't know what it means, but it is a big question mark."

Jack Rouse, who was serving as board chair, confirmed that he and two other board members resigned on Wednesday, but he declined to comment.

The shakeup followed a board meeting on Wednesday, and caught the competition's partners, CCM and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, completely off guard. In a statement, they said they became aware of Pratt's separation as artistic director for the competition "after the fact" and that the partners "were not party to this decision."

"We remain supportive of Mr. Pratt's artistic leadership and what he has brought to the competition, as well as the CWPC and its mission. We are carefully assessing the situation and determining how best to proceed," said their statement released on Friday.

CCM dean Landgren reportedly has asked the competition's board to reconsider the decision on behalf of both CCM and the orchestra.

Reached on Thursday, Ernster, a Procter & Gamble retiree, did not give a reason for the dismissal. On Friday, the piano competition released a statement praising Pratt for his many contributions, which included revamping the once-storied competition and bringing it up to current competition standards as its chief architect.

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Dominique-René de Lerma

http://www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com