Bene�it Concert “Gift for Life”

Piano Extravaganza for Four HandsAlexander Beridze & Mai Kagaya

Diana Bagrationi Foundation

presents

Friday, October 19, 6 PM

Consulate General of the Russian Federation in New York

with support of the

Tickets $150 are Tax Deductible and include refreshments after the concert

AddressConsulate General of the Russian Federation in New York

9 East 91st Street, New York, NY 10128

For more information, please visitwww.dianabagrationifoundation.com

Program includes compositions for four hands byBrahms, Mendelssohn, Piazzolla, Gershwin

to support two hospitals in Russia and United States

Federal Research Clinical Center forPediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology in Russia

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in United Statesand

All that is not given is lost

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The Consulate General is a state authority for foreign relations of the Russian Federation exercising consular functions on behalf of the Russian Federation inside its consular district on the territory of the United States. The Consulate General's consular district includes 9 US states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

The Consulate General protects rights and interests of the Russian Federation, of the Russian nationals, both individuals and bodies corporate; furthers the development of commercial, economic, cultural and scientific relations between Russia and the United States and otherwise promotes friendly relations between two countries; exercises full scale of official consular functions envisaged by the legislation of the Russian Federation, bilateral Conven-tion on consular relations as well as other principles of international law.

Princess Diana Bagrationi, curator of tonight’s concert is an Honorable Artist of the Republic of Georgia. Opera singer, Graduate of the Tbilisi State Conservatory with PhD Degrees in Piano Performances and Vocals. Since 1990, Mrs. Bagrationi has coached selected students among the world, who later became prize winners of the International Competitions, among them “New Wave” in Yurmala, Latvia. Mrs. Bagrationi is a curator of the many reknown musical events of the United States and abroad, she is a member of the Honorary Board of the New York Piano Festival.

Diana Bagrationi Foundation carries out diverse charitable activities. Helping children in need is among its priorities. The foundation organizes concerts, exhibitions and other events for the benefit of various social groups both in the USA and abroad. The main goal of the the foundation is to provide relief to those in need, based on the principles of Christianity, as well as on the internationally recognized humanitarian principles.

All that is not given is lost

New York Piano Festival was founded in 2009 by Alexander Beridze. Since then, the festival has hosted numerous concerts featuring critically acclaimed performers from all over the world. Extraordinary artists presented most famous works in an intimate salon atmosphere, were the finest interpretation were crafted with an unique personal approach. New York Piano Festival has collaborated with such brands of the piano industry as Bechstein America and Klavierhaus. In addition , New York Piano Festival gave master-classes and concert opportunities to more than 150 talented young performers.

www.newyorkpianofestival.com

VK Studios is the corporation involved in show business. It organizes various events, including movie festivals, concerts, art exhibition and etc. The mission of VK Studios is to promote talented artists, musicians, actors, and other performers in the US. The company facilitates cross-cultural ties through performing arts not only in USA but also in Europe and Asia. www.vk-sp.com

3For donations, please visit

www.DianaBagrationiFoundation.com

Global Advertising Strategies is proud to support the Diana Bagrationi Foundation and the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in New York in their efforts to raise funds for the Federal Research Clinical Center for Pediatric Hematol-ogy, Oncology and Immunulogy, and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in New York, Global Advertising Strategies is the leading marketing and communications agency in healthcare, lifestyle, travel, and entertainment industries.

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Kartina TV is a leader in IPTV market for Russian speaking population worldwide. Kartina TV offers over 125 channels including a growing number of HD channels and the best variety of Russian programming available through Internet. You can enjoy superior picture quality without an antenna or cable services. Features include DVR, VOD, and HD. Kartina TV is involved in a number of charity programs around the globe benefiting sick children. Kartina TV is honored to spon-sor the Diana Bagrationi Foundation and the concert to benefit the FRCC PHOI and MSKCC.

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MSKCC is the world’s oldest and largest cancer center. As one of the nation’s premier cancer cen-ters, MSKCC is one of only 41 institutions in the US that have been designated as Comprehen-

sive Cancer Center by National Cancer Institute. At Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center children, ado-lescents and young adults receive the latest cancer therapies, many of which may not available elsewhere.

Named after Dima Rogachev – FRCC PHOI is a new modern Children’s Cancer Center in Moscow built thanks to the deci-sion of President of Russia Vladi-mir Putin. Its construction was

Federal Research Clinical Center for Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

funded by the Russian Government and by the non-profit Russian Foundation “Grant Life”. “Grant Life” is a non-profit foundation which provides help to children with different types of cancer and some other severe diseases. This foundation was created to draw public attention to the problems of children with oncologic and hematologic diseases. This foundation was founded by Russian Actresses Dina Korzun and Chulpan Khamatova. The foundation supports hospi-tals, providing treatment for pediatric cancer patients, and first of all to the FRCC PHOI.

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Benefit Concert“Gift for Life”

Opening Remarks

Consul General of the Russian Federation in New York

Igor L. Golubovskiy

Princess Diana Bagrationi

New York Piano Festival

Alexander Beridze & Mai Kagaya

Piano Extravaganza for Four Hands

&

Program:

from “Four Seasons in Buenos Aires”

Selections from Hungarian Dances Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7Brahms

Scherzo from “Midsummer Night’s Dream”Mendelssohn

Liebertango, Spring & WinterPiazzolla

“Rhapsody in Blue”Gershwin

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Alexander Beridze, the founder and artistic director of the New York Piano Festival, Alexander Beridze is a pianist with a vision and a mission. He maintains a busy schedule equally active as both a performer and a teacher. The Gold Medalist of the 2009 World Piano Competition in

Mr. Beridze was the receipient of Georgia's President's Grant both in 2001 and 2005 and the Vladimir Spivakov Award in 2003. In the United States, Mr. Beridze won the 2004 Jacob Flier International Piano Competition held in New-Paltz, New York. He has appeared with the Tbilisi State Symphony, the Republic of Georgia State Opera and Ballet Symphony, and the Hudson Valley Orchestras.

Mr. Berdize has performed in the master classes of Yefim Bronfam, Claude Frank, Joseph Kalichstein, Jerome Lowen-thal, and Menahem Pressler, and is a frequent performer at the Aspen Music Festival where he studied with John O'Conor.

In addition to his musical studies, Mr. Beridze holds a Doc-toral degree in Journalism from the Tbilisi State University. During the years of 1996-2006, he was a correspondent for weekly newspaper Kviris Palitra for which he wrote over 500 articles on music and interviewed many distinguished musi-cians including Mstislav Rostropovich, Genadi Rojdestven-sky, Yuri Bashmett, and Maxim Vengerov.

Mr. Beridze completed his Bachelor, Master, and Post-Graduate degrees at the Tbilisi State Conservatory as a student of Edisher Rusishvili. After inivtation from the legendary pianist Vladimir Feltsman Mr. Beridze completed Professional Studies at the Mannes College for Music and currently he continues his studies towards a DMA degree with Min Kwon.

“Alexander’s interpretation of Betthoven is reminiscent of Gilels at his memorable best… His splendidly bracing and virtuosic performance is replete with rhythmic vitality and spiritual communication- in the same distinctive company, as Katchen, Masselos, Richter, and Eliso Virsaladze.” American Record Guide

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Mai Kagaya, Japanese pianist, won the Dorothy MacKenzie Award at the 2003 International Keyboard Insti-tute & Festival, and as a result of her successful appearances, she was invited to the 2004 festival. Ms. Kagaya earned BM degree at the Toho Conservatory with Yoriko Takahashi, Japan. In her native Japan, yet teenager, she had estab-lished herself as a virtuoso performer with sensual touch and artistry. She was a prize winner at the Piano Teachers’ National Association Competition and the Japan Piano Teacher’s Association Competition, which led to her Tsuda Hall debut in Tokyo in 2001. In 2004, Ms. Kagaya performed at the prestige Hamarikyu-Asahi Hall as one of the top prize winners from the Toho Conservatory’s graduation audition. Mai Kagaya appeared as a soloist with Kyushu Symphony Orchestra in 2006, Fukuoka City. Her performances were critically acclaimed; she was invited to study in the United States.

Ms. Kagaya holds Master of Music degree from Mannes College of Music where she studied with legendary pianist and teacher Jerome Rose. As a winner of the Concerto Compe-tition presented by Mannes Extension Division, Mai performed with Mannes Community Orchestra and Doctors Orchestra in 2008, NYC.

Ms. Kagaya performed at master classes presented by legend-ary pianists and teachers, such as Alicia de Larrocha, Earl Wild, Victor Merzhanov, and Mikhail Voskresensky. Among her private coaches was German Diez, an assistant pianist of Claudio Arrau. As a chamber musician and solo performer, Mai Kagaya has appeared Stern/Perlman, Zankel and Weill Recital at Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall, and Kaufman Center. As a member of the New York Piano Duo, Mai often performs with Alexander Beridze in Aspen, CO, Palm Beach, FL, and NYC.

In addition to her performing activities, she successfully runs New York Piano Festival as the Executive Director, which includes organizing concert series, master classes, and lessons for young musicians.

www.newyorkpianofestival.com

Organizing Committee

Princess Diana Bagrationi

Consulate General of the Russian Federation

New York Piano Festival

Mr. Valery Kourtey & VK Studios

Mr. Shalva Sarukhanishvili

Media Partners

Russian Service of Voice of America

RTVI

TVZ

Russian Reklama

Komsomolskaya Pravada

The Russian Nobility Association in America andDr. Cyril E. Geacintov, President

Russian American Coordinating Council andMr. Igor A. Baboshkin, Chairman

International Society for the Preservation of Russian Monuments andLandscapes and Mr. Arkady Nebolsin, President

The Russian American Cultural Center andDr. Regina Khidekel, Founding Director

The New Review, Inc. and Ms. Marina Adamovich

Russian Service of Voice of America and Mr. Michael Gutkin

Volfor Parts Inc. and Andrey Nevryanskiy, President

American Russian Children’s Home - ARChH

Tamani-1 Corporation for Mineral Water

Innataly Bridal Couture

Georgian House of Greater Washington LLC (Georgian Winehouse)and Mamuka Tsereteli, President

Russian Center N.Y and Executive Director Elena Branson

The Tcherepnin Society

Russian American Cultural Heritage Center andMs. Olga Zatsepina, President & CEO

Special Thanks