Imagine a time when Russia and the U.S. were friends. On Monday, October 7, 2013, the American-Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation (ARCCF) held their 2013 Annual Gala, celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Russian Navy's goodwill visits to New York and San Francisco during the time of the American Civil War. This endeavor of goodwill is not in the history books most of us were brought up reading, yet it is an important reminder that the U.S. and Russia can be helpful to and respectful of one another. The relationship between the U.S. and Russia at that time was described by Albert A. Woldman in Lincoln and the Russians as, "two of the most mismated international bedfellows in all recorded history." Yet the two countries are bound by common interests such as music and other styles of art.
The evening was held at the impressive Embassy of the Russian Federation in Washington, DC where light appetizers and drinks were served. The expansive windows were aglow with images of the honorees, Maestros Igor Butman and Wynton Marsalis, and the Russian Fleet. The Russian Navy in America documentary, directed by General Alexander Vershinin and created by the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library, premiered in the Embassy Auditorium. Greeters donned period costumes which included those of Mary Todd Lincoln, Admiral S.S. Lesovsky, and Russian Navy sailors. A model of the Kremlin was on display.
Guests were called to dinner in the main dining room with the ringing of a bell where tables were lavishly set. The first course was composed of poached salmon á la russe with lobster and carved vegetables and paired with Jean Paul Picard Sancerre 2012 wine.
His Excellency Sergey I. Kislyak, Ambassador of the Russian Federation, event host, welcomed guests and read a letter from Russian Federation Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov, in which Lavrov wrote, "The squadron of Rear-admiral Stepan Lesovsky was sent to the U.S. Atlantic Coast and the squadron of Rear-admiral Andrey Popov was sent to the Pacific Coast as a result of an agreement reached between Emperor Alexander II and President Abraham Lincoln. Their stay in the American waters determined by mutually beneficial foreign policy interests had significant importance in deterrence against foreign intervention into the USA, and played a crucial role in the Civil War between the North and the South."
In a letter to the ARCCF shared with the Diplomatic Courier, U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry wrote, "This historic visit by Russian naval vessels to U.S. ports is an important chapter in the shared history of our two countries. The visit came at the height of the American Civil War, just a few months after the important Union victory in the Battle of Gettysburg. The U.S. Navy Band celebrated Russia's demonstration of friendship by striking up the Russian National Anthem. Russia returned the gesture when the band of the Russian flagship played Yankee Doodle Dandy. Such acts matter, and such events are felt and remembered long after their participants have left the world stage."
Ambassador Kislyak stated, "Diplomacy is still alive today and we are working to build bridges even irrespective of some differences we have. Relations between our two countries are much better than the general public gives [us] credit [for]." The friendship and camaraderie of Igor Butman and Wynston Marsalis proves that music can bring people together.
The Honorable James W. Symington, Chairman, ARCCF Board of Directors and former U.S. Representative from Missouri served as master of ceremonies for the evening. He thanked Event Chair, Susan Carmel Lehrman and read a letter from Honorary Chairman, President William Jefferson Clinton. President Clinton wrote he was, "delighted with the choice of honorees. Their honoring is a lesson to us all."
Symington then dedicated and sang a Russian folk song. Donald M. Kendall, 2012 ARCCF Honoree and Chair of 2013 Sponsors' Committee was unable to attend the event. He instead welcomed Maestro Valerie Gergiev, Artistic and General Director of the State’s Academic Mariinski Theatre and 2009 Foundation Award recipient.
Maestros Igor Butman and Wynton Marsalis were honored for their distinguished contributions to American-Russian cultural relations. The award was presented by John R. Beyrle, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, and James Symington.
Guests were entertained and awed by Igor Butman and Wynton Marsalis with a jazz rendition of "Flight of the Bumble Bee" and other pieces. The honorees were joined onstage by other members of the Igor Butman Quartet: Nick Levinovsky on piano, Vitaly Solomonov on bass, and Eduard Zizak on drums.
The evening continued with the entrée which consisted of filet of beef with sauce financiere and breast of partridge Toulouse style with artichokes a la lyonnaise and haricots verts with buerre noisette and paired with Chateau Coutet St. Emilion Grand Cru 2010 wine. Dessert combined Charlotte russe with fresh berries and was served along with a very special encore of several additional jazz pieces from Igor Butman and Wynton Marsalis.
The annual James Symington Award for Russian Studies was presented by Dr. Anton Fedyashin, Executive Director of American University's Initiative for Russian Culture, to Rebecca Darnell. The 2013 recipient is majoring in International Relations and Russian Language.
Jazz legends Igor Butman and Wynton Marsalis have set an example for all. Look for similarities in one another to help break down walls and relate. Instead of using differences to pick others apart, focus on positive, like-minded traits to bring people closer. The feelings Igor Butman and Wynton Marsalis have for each other are palpable. They are truly friends and admire each other.
“Music is the universal language of mankind,” said Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
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Jazzing Up U.S.-Russian Relations
October 15, 2013
Imagine a time when Russia and the U.S. were friends. On Monday, October 7, 2013, the American-Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation (ARCCF) held their 2013 Annual Gala, celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Russian Navy's goodwill visits to New York and San Francisco during the time of the American Civil War. This endeavor of goodwill is not in the history books most of us were brought up reading, yet it is an important reminder that the U.S. and Russia can be helpful to and respectful of one another. The relationship between the U.S. and Russia at that time was described by Albert A. Woldman in Lincoln and the Russians as, "two of the most mismated international bedfellows in all recorded history." Yet the two countries are bound by common interests such as music and other styles of art.
The evening was held at the impressive Embassy of the Russian Federation in Washington, DC where light appetizers and drinks were served. The expansive windows were aglow with images of the honorees, Maestros Igor Butman and Wynton Marsalis, and the Russian Fleet. The Russian Navy in America documentary, directed by General Alexander Vershinin and created by the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library, premiered in the Embassy Auditorium. Greeters donned period costumes which included those of Mary Todd Lincoln, Admiral S.S. Lesovsky, and Russian Navy sailors. A model of the Kremlin was on display.
Guests were called to dinner in the main dining room with the ringing of a bell where tables were lavishly set. The first course was composed of poached salmon á la russe with lobster and carved vegetables and paired with Jean Paul Picard Sancerre 2012 wine.
His Excellency Sergey I. Kislyak, Ambassador of the Russian Federation, event host, welcomed guests and read a letter from Russian Federation Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov, in which Lavrov wrote, "The squadron of Rear-admiral Stepan Lesovsky was sent to the U.S. Atlantic Coast and the squadron of Rear-admiral Andrey Popov was sent to the Pacific Coast as a result of an agreement reached between Emperor Alexander II and President Abraham Lincoln. Their stay in the American waters determined by mutually beneficial foreign policy interests had significant importance in deterrence against foreign intervention into the USA, and played a crucial role in the Civil War between the North and the South."
In a letter to the ARCCF shared with the Diplomatic Courier, U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry wrote, "This historic visit by Russian naval vessels to U.S. ports is an important chapter in the shared history of our two countries. The visit came at the height of the American Civil War, just a few months after the important Union victory in the Battle of Gettysburg. The U.S. Navy Band celebrated Russia's demonstration of friendship by striking up the Russian National Anthem. Russia returned the gesture when the band of the Russian flagship played Yankee Doodle Dandy. Such acts matter, and such events are felt and remembered long after their participants have left the world stage."
Ambassador Kislyak stated, "Diplomacy is still alive today and we are working to build bridges even irrespective of some differences we have. Relations between our two countries are much better than the general public gives [us] credit [for]." The friendship and camaraderie of Igor Butman and Wynston Marsalis proves that music can bring people together.
The Honorable James W. Symington, Chairman, ARCCF Board of Directors and former U.S. Representative from Missouri served as master of ceremonies for the evening. He thanked Event Chair, Susan Carmel Lehrman and read a letter from Honorary Chairman, President William Jefferson Clinton. President Clinton wrote he was, "delighted with the choice of honorees. Their honoring is a lesson to us all."
Symington then dedicated and sang a Russian folk song. Donald M. Kendall, 2012 ARCCF Honoree and Chair of 2013 Sponsors' Committee was unable to attend the event. He instead welcomed Maestro Valerie Gergiev, Artistic and General Director of the State’s Academic Mariinski Theatre and 2009 Foundation Award recipient.
Maestros Igor Butman and Wynton Marsalis were honored for their distinguished contributions to American-Russian cultural relations. The award was presented by John R. Beyrle, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, and James Symington.
Guests were entertained and awed by Igor Butman and Wynton Marsalis with a jazz rendition of "Flight of the Bumble Bee" and other pieces. The honorees were joined onstage by other members of the Igor Butman Quartet: Nick Levinovsky on piano, Vitaly Solomonov on bass, and Eduard Zizak on drums.
The evening continued with the entrée which consisted of filet of beef with sauce financiere and breast of partridge Toulouse style with artichokes a la lyonnaise and haricots verts with buerre noisette and paired with Chateau Coutet St. Emilion Grand Cru 2010 wine. Dessert combined Charlotte russe with fresh berries and was served along with a very special encore of several additional jazz pieces from Igor Butman and Wynton Marsalis.
The annual James Symington Award for Russian Studies was presented by Dr. Anton Fedyashin, Executive Director of American University's Initiative for Russian Culture, to Rebecca Darnell. The 2013 recipient is majoring in International Relations and Russian Language.
Jazz legends Igor Butman and Wynton Marsalis have set an example for all. Look for similarities in one another to help break down walls and relate. Instead of using differences to pick others apart, focus on positive, like-minded traits to bring people closer. The feelings Igor Butman and Wynton Marsalis have for each other are palpable. They are truly friends and admire each other.
“Music is the universal language of mankind,” said Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
