Tuesday, March 20, 2012

KnightArts.org: 'A night to remember at the US Supreme Court'; Sphinx Medal of Honor for Elena Urioste, Anthony McGill, Tai Murray



[TOP: Eugène Ysaÿe, Six Sonatas for Solo Violin, Op. 27; Tai Murray, Violin, Harmonia Mundi HMU 907569 (2012) (68:48) MIDDLE: Anthony McGill: That Lightness of Spirit; Anthony McGill Music, © Copyright-Anthony McGill (884502357493) (2010) BOTTOM: Elena Urioste, violin; Hugh Sung, piano; White Pine Music (2008);Jonathan D. Nimerfroh, JDN Photography]

“Published on 18 March 2012 by Dennis Scholl
“The Sphinx Organization, a Knight grantee based in Detroit, celebrated the awarding of the inaugural Sphinx Medals of Excellence Thursday night at the Supreme Court of the United States. Sphinx is a national arts development organization dedicated to building the participation of Blacks and Latinos in classical music.

“The event was hosted by Justice Sonia Sotomayor and was attended by Justices Ruth Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer. the guest list also included Michigan’s senior senator Carl Levin and his wife Barbara.”

“At dinner, each of the Justices presented a Sphinx Medal of Honor winner who then performed a piece by a minority composer. First up was Elena Urioste, who performed Ysaye’s Sonata No. 3 for violin solo in d minor balade. Then honoree Anthony McGill played an anonymous composition on his clarinet, entitled Caprice No. 18, Spanish sketches. Finally, Tai Murray on violin performed H.W. Ernst’s variations on 'The Last Rose of Summer.' Each rendition brought the crowd to its feet for a standing ovation and the artists were thrilled with the reception.”


“The evening closed with remarks by Aaron Dworkin, the founder and head of Sphinx, and a member of the Knight National Arts Advisory Committee. Aaron received a standing ovation from the audience. It was clear how special this journey has been for Aaron and the Sphinx Organization, from a humble beginning 15 years ago to the highest court in the land to celebrate diversity in classical music.”

[Aaron Dworkin (b. 1970), Founder and President of The Sphinx Organization is profiled at AfriClassical.com and has a personal website, http://www.AaronDworkin.com]

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