Arts Global

Sébastien van Kuijk cello and his Van Kuijk Quartet have taken First Prize at the Trondheim International Chamber Music Competition in Norway. Mr van Kuijk, along with his quartet members, Nicolas Van Kuijk violin, Sylvain Favre violin, and Grégoire Vecchioni viola, were also awarded the coveted Audience Prize.

Formed in 2011, the Van Kuijk Quartet studies at the Conservatoire Supérieur de Paris under the tutelage of the Ysaÿe Quartet. The ensemble has appeared on several radio and television shows in France, and has performed in various festivals with artists such as Dana Ciocarlie and pianist and singer Angelika Kirchschlager.

The Australian Music Foundation, of which Arts Global President Heather de Haes is International Director, hosted an evening of Australian Art and Music on 19 September 2013. Co-sponsored by Christie's and taking place at the Christie's Auction House in London, the event featured performances by the 2013 Australian Music Foundation awardees as well as previews of the Australian Art sale.

Please click the underlined date to view the event invitation.

The Foundation is immensely saddened by the recent passing of one of its closest advisors and friends, Michael Green. 

Michael Green was a Swiss-based British journalist, lecturer and communications consultant. He was a staff writer, correspondent and editor for several major publications, and wrote and edited specialist books, films and videos on a variety of subjects.

Born in London, Michael was educated at Oakham and Rugby Schools. He attended the University of St Andrews, Scotland, and the Sorbonne in Paris, studying English and French literature.  He was particularly noted for his in-depth interviews with leading personalities, including heads of state, world political and business leaders, prominent artists and performers.

Michael Green will be greatly missed by all of us at Arts Global.

Arts Global is proud to announce that journalist and writer Kim Akhtar has joined the staff as the new Director of Artistic Operations USA. Ms Akhtar is currently contributing editor at Food & Wine and Departures magazines, and has served as speechwriter and media assistant for both television anchorman Dan Rather as well as Queen Noor of Jordan.  A published writer of three books, Ms Akhtar is also fluent in six languages.

Last night, 20 August 2013, featured the rare Blue Moon, a double-appearance of a full moon in a one-month period. This unusual event, occurring about once every three years, has long been associated with change and renewal of spirit – a fitting metaphor for Arts Global as we welcome Kim Akhtar to the team!

Please click the underlined date for publicity photos.

Arts Global is pleased to announce recent career advancements of two of its hard-working staff members:

Brendan Moffitt (pictured far right) is expanding his career profile by moving on from his role of Arts Administrator: he will be working in the field of his newly gained academic qualification: a Masters degree in International Relations, from the Fletcher School at Tufts University in Boston, MA. 

Executive Assistant to Heather de Haes, Sam Nester (pictured left), begins his Doctorate of Musical Arts at the famed Manhattan School of Music in September this year. He will be working in the Music History Department as well as the Brass Department during the course of his studies. His association with Arts Global continues as Assistant, Special Projects.

Congratulations to our colleagues!

After its impressive and unforgettable participation in 2012, L'Orchestre International de Genève (L'OIG), the partner orchestra of Arts Global, was invited for the second time to headline at the International Piano Festival in Saint-Ursanne, Switzerland. The two concerts given on 9 August as part of A Night of Concerti were fully sold out in advance, and following works by Mozart, Bach, Tchaikovsky and Chopin, the musicians enjoyed a standing ovation by an enthusiastic audience. On 11 August, the performance of Alexandra Conunova violin, an Arts Global laureate, with German pianist Caspar Frantz brilliantly summarized the talent and success of Arts Global artists.

Please click the underlined date to view photos of the concert venue, the Cloître et Collégiale in Saint-Ursanne.

After a First Prize victory at the famous Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition in Hannover, Alexandra Conunova violin is the 2013 Winner of the Julius Baer Prize. She was regarded as the most accomplished artist among all the participants at the master classes of the Verbier Festival Academy.

Ms Conunova, selected from 500 applicants to Verbier, has been choosen for the Prize from among the 41 students of all nationalities attending the prestigious Academy. Only eight violinists, and a small number of pianists, cellists, viola players, chamber music ensembles and singers, have had the honor to participate this year.

Alexandra Conunova violin, Arts Global alum and recent First Prize winner of the International Joseph Joachim Violin Competition in Hannover, together with Valda Wilson soprano, a performer in the recent tour of Korea with Foundation partner L'OIG and the London Cello Sound, have been invited to participate in the selective masterclasses of the famous Verbier Festival. Amidst the inspiring landscape of the Swiss Alps and a stimulating musical atmosphere, Ms Conunova will collaborate with such masters as Ivry Gitlis, Mihaela Martin and Boris Kuschnir.  Ms Wilson will perform in Beethoven's Choral Fantasy as well as in Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia.

Arts Global is pleased to announce the loan of its Giovanni Grancino cello (Milan, 1700) to Michael Bialobroda, newly appointed Emerging Artist of the Foundation. Michael was one of the four principal cellists for the Cello Orchestra's recent Swiss/Korean tour.

He is shown here playing the cello after receiving it in London.

L'Orchestre International de Genève and the London Cello Orchestra, in association with Arts Global, were greeted with standing ovations throughout their 9-concert Swiss/Korean tour.

The 20-cello Orchestra assembled in Geneva for rehearsals and gave their first concert on 19 June at Théâtre du Léman, sponsored by NV Logistics and Tag Heuer. The audience responded to the rich sound of the massed cellos and excitement was in the air. This intensified during the eight concerts which followed in South Korea, culminating in two near-sellout performances in the country's premier venue, the 2,500-seat Seoul Arts Center.

Notable was the spirit which emerged amongst the musicians during the tour. Coming from England, France, Spain, Switzerland and the United States, they formed an exceptional bond, both on and off the stage. They shared the kinship of their instrument and the knowledge that 20 highly accomplished professional cellists performing together is a truly rare phenomenon.

We warmly thank Dominique Föllmi, President of L'Orchestre International de Genève, Heather de Haes, President of Arts Global and Music Zoo Entertainment, Seoul, for their tireless work in bringing this major undertaking to fruition. Valda Wilson was acclaimed as the guest soprano; Geoffrey Simon was Artistic Director and conductor; Clément Dumortier was tour manager. Spectacular cello orchestra arrangements were produced for the tour by Richard Birchall and Paul Sarcich.

Click on the date above to see the first review translated from Korean. Further reviews and photographs will be posted when available.

l'Orchestre International de Genève
and the London Cello Orchestra,
in association with Arts Global,
proudly announce

20 Cellos for One Rose

Wednesday, 19 June, 8:00pm
Théâtre du Léman, Geneva

An unforgettable concert, given in honour of the 66th annual “Concours International de Roses Nouvelles de Genève” and featuring 20 of Europe’s finest young virtuoso cellists—10 from the London Cello Orchestra and 10 from l'Orchestre International de Genève.

Like the colour of a fine rose, the sound of 20 cellos is unforgettably rich, deep and satisfying.

The performance marked the Swiss conducting debut of Geoffrey Simon, well known to Arts Global friends for his many years of association with the Foundation. On the following day, the ensemble departed for a high-profile, 8-concert tour of South Korea.

Click on the underlined date above for full information about the concert programme and the musicians. Click here for a classical music video clip of the Cello Orchestra, and here for a popular music video clip.

Please support Arts Global and l'OIG by making a donation!

Swiss Global (the Swiss branch of Arts Global) supported an orchestral concert presented by Camerata Venia on 28 May 2013 at the Salle Frank-Martin in Geneva. Entitled "L'Amour à Trois" and conducted by music director Gleb Skvortsov (pictured left), the unique concert featured works by Martinu, Menotti and PDQ Bach. Soloists included Sophie Graf soprano and Davide Autieri baritone.

Please click here to view the concert programme.

Arts Global is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2013 New York Roster Auditions (picture above left to right): Carlos Avila piano, Eric Silberger violin and Tavi Ungerleider cello. These three American-based instrumentalists represent unique talents and musical charisma, and possess the potential to become world-class performers.  Look for them at an upcoming Arts Global event -- details will be posted in the near future.

Young Artists are selected after a rigorous application and audition process, at the recommendation of Director Heather de Haes and her staff.  Please click here for additional information on becoming an Arts Global Young Artist.

In part two of a two-concert series in collaboration with Notenstein Banque Privée, Swiss Global (the Swiss branch of Arts Global) was pleased to present the Arts Global String Quartet on 16 May in performance with The Evangelists. The concert, taking place at Les Salons within the Salle du Théatre in Geneva, Switzerland, featured Mozart's Quartet in d minor K.421 and Dvorak's Quartet No. 12 Op. 96.

Please click the underlined date to view the concert poster, and visit the Events section for additional information including the full programme.

The partner orchestra of Arts Global, L'Orchestre International de Genève (L'OIG), presented an unforgettable concert on 11 May in honor of the great German composer Richard Strauss, whose likeness is featured on a new statue placed in the Parc Vernex in Montreux, Switzerland.  The official inauguration of the statue was immediately followed by the musical portion, taking place in Stravinsky Hall. Conducted by Karl-Anton Rickenbacher, the orchestra performed works by Strauss and Wagner.

Please click the underlined date to view the concert posters.

In part one of a two-concert series in collaboration with Notenstein Banque Privée, Swiss Global (the Swiss branch of Arts Global) presented "Three Virtuoso in Concert". Taking place at the majestic Salle Sandoz at the Hotel Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne, Switzerland, the concert featured works by Rachmaninoff, Grieg, Sarasate and others.

Featured Young Artists included Alexandra Conunova violin, Sébastian Jacot flute and Deborah Lee piano.

Please click the underlined date to view the concert poster, and please visit the Events page for further information.

Swiss Global (the Swiss branch of Arts Global) supported an orchestral concert presented by Camerata Venia on 25 April 2013 at the Salle Frank-Martin in Geneva.  Entitled "Saisons Bien Temperees" and conducted by music director Gleb Skvortsov (pictured right), the unique concert featured works by Mozart, de Falla, Piazzolla and PDQ Bach.

Please click the underlined date to view the concert poster, and please click here to read the concert programme.

The Foundation is thrilled to announce that one of its Young Artists, Sébastian Jacot flute, has won First Prize in the 8th International Kobe Flute Competition in Japan.  The prestigious competition is held every four years and is regarded as the only regularly scheduled competition in the world held strictly for flute. Mr Jacot was also the winner of the Audience Prize.

A seasoned flutist in Japan, since 2008 Mr Jacot has served as Principal Flutist at the Saiton Kinen Festival under Maestro Seiji Osawa.

Arts Global will be presenting a special evening of music performances in Miami in September.  Sponsored by Journe SA, a luxury Swiss watch brand, the event is limited to invited VIP guests only.

Check back soon for further details.

The elegant Leighton House in London will serve as a fitting venue for a unique evening of art, music and dramatic readings. On 8 May 2013 Arts Global will host a Cocktail Soirée featuring the emerging Australian Emily Sun violin as well as actors from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Please check back soon for further details.

An Arts Global evening of music and dinner took place on 7 March at the magnificent Loeb House in New York. Marjorie and Michael Loeb, supporters of the Foundation, hosted this exclusive event, entitled "Music—A Magnificent Obsession", for invited guests.

Performing artists included: David Fung piano, Rupert Boyd guitar, Alexander Lewis tenor, Louis Schwizgebel piano, Emalie Savoy mezzo-soprano, Bryan Waghorn piano and guest vocalist Caroline Loeb.

Please click here to view event photos!

Producer/director and longtime Arts Global collaborator Mirra Bank is nearing completion on her latest film, The Only Real Game, and the foundation is pleased to assist in accessing finishing funds for this first-ever feature documentary. The film focuses on an unknown, turbulent and vivid corner of India where the Great American Game, namely baseball, is, for many, the only real game.

As described by the filmmakers, The Only Real Game is a fighters’ and dreamers’ story about how deeply baseball can affect a strife-torn region -- a surprising story that brings us to the heart of the Great American Game. The film unfolds in two worlds: America, where fans believe that baseball can move mountains, and Manipur, an impoverished, embattled corner of northeast India, where a proud and athletic people have decided that ‘home’ means home plate. And getting there means everything.

For further information on this exciting new documentary film project, please visit www.bbdmanipur.com.

Arts Global was pleased to present a performance of the Orava String Quartet on 13 January 2013 at the National Gallery in Washington DC. This concert represented Orava's Washington debut and was an event not to be missed. The accomplished Australian group is currently studying with the Takacs Quartet in Boulder, Colorado. The concert featured Haydn's op. 76 no. 2 and Mendelssohn's A minor op.13.

Arts Global expanded its reach on 29 January with a series of performances and masterclasses in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Sabina Rakcheyeva violin (pictured left) and the Attab Haddad Ensemble (pictured right) were featured artists at the event, which was hosted by the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.

These events were a prelude to a tentatively scheduled Middle East Tour in May by the Arts Global String Quartet, performing with a unique matched set of instruments made by famous French craftman JB. Vuillaume from wood of the same tree.  The tour will likely include countries such as Qatar, Oman, and United Arab Emirates.

Please visit the Events section for further information.

Arts Global is pleased to announce its strategy for 2013 to develop and enlarge the Foundation:

"The Arts Global Initiative"

Please visit Le Rameau d'Or—The Golden Bough to read more.

Founder and President Heather de Haes announces:

"I am proud to introduce the new name of our Foundation, reflecting the expanding scope of our involvement on the world stage."

A foundation empowering emerging artists and advancing social change

"While preserving to the full our original commitment to nurture and mentor talented young artists, and to present memorable artistic experiences for our friends and supporters, over the past two years our outreach and vision have broadened, to embrace projects for cultural diplomacy in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, and social change in India and Africa.

"Our three primary centres of activity remain in place. In the US and UK our corporate names, and charity registration, have been changed to Arts Global, Inc. and Arts Global Ltd respectively. In Switzerland, we remain as the Swiss Global Artistic Foundation. For a complete picture of Arts Global as it now stands, please visit Who We Are.

"Over the coming months we will give you details of our growing international activities, on this website and by direct communication with our Friends and members of our Major Donors' club, Le Rameau d'Or—The Golden Bough. If you have not already done so, please register with us at Membership & Sponsorship.

It is with real pleasure that I invite you to share with us the exciting Arts Global journey which lies ahead."