Friday, July 31, 2015

Dominique-René de Lerma: Musical America Worldwide: Cincinnati Piano Competition Does a 180 [Awadagin Pratt is back as artistic director]


Awadagin Pratt
www.awadagin.com

Dominique-René de Lerma:

Musical America Worldwide         


Awadagin Pratt (pictured) is back as artistic director of
the Cincinnati World Piano Competition, having been
fired earlier this month by now former CEO and
Executive Director Mark Ernster, who is out of a job.
The board members who quit upon Pratt's dismissal
are also back in the fold, including Chairman Jack
Rouse.

Pratt at the time reported that he had been "surprised" 
to learn in an email from Ernster that his services 
were no longer required, especially since Ernster gave 
no explanation.

The firing turned the heads of Competition partners 
the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the University 
of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (where 
Pratt is piano professor and artist-in-residence); 
Ernster did not consult with either of them--they 
learned of his dismissal after the fact. They issued a 
joint statement supporting Pratt's artistic leadership.

Ernster's move is all the more puzzling, given the 
increased attendance at this year's competition as well as 
the sold-out finals.


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Dominique-René de Lerma

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