Simon Ghraichy Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Return to Carnegie Hall

Simon Ghraichy returns to Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall for one night only, Friday, October 14 at 7:30PM. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the program, titled "My Hispanic Heritage," celebrates Latin American composers (Ernesto Lecuona, Arturo Márquez), Spanish composers (Isaac Albeniz, Manuel De Falla), and non-Spanish/non-Latino composers who drew inspiration from Hispanic culture (French composers Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel). The presenter for "My Hispanic Heritage" is New York Concert Artists.

"Mexican, French, Lebanese, Jewish... my heritage can be traced to so many cultures. My Latin American roots have always had a particular resonance for me, from the cultural heritage passed along from my Mexican mother. Especially through music" says Ghraichy. "On my frequent visits to Latin America, I discovered beautiful, warm and sparkling culture that influenced on my temperament and my vision as a musician. Having grown up in Paris, I had never been exposed to the treasure trove of musical gems that came from South America and the Hispanic world. My Hispanic heritage is a true pride for me and I decided to dedicate my upcoming concert and CD to honoring that heritage".

Tickets, priced at $25-$75, are available at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, 154 West 57th Street, or can be charged to major credit cards by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800 or by visiting the Carnegie Hall website,www.CarnegieHall.org.

Prior to his Carnegie Hall return, Ghraichy will offer a series of workshops and master classes to students at theBrooklyn Music School, a not-for-profit community school located in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. On October 11 and 12, hraichy will introduce students ranging from 5 - 18 years in age, to the various aspects of performance and appreciation of Hispanic music. One student will be invited to join Ghraichy on stage to make his or her Carnegie Hall debut at the October 14th program.

"When touring, I enjoy the opportunity to work with younger musicians, particularly in New York where there is such beautiful cultural diversity," says Ghraichy. "The Brooklyn Music School is a unique and special place because it introduces young musicians, many Hispanic and from low-income families, to the arts. I want these kids to know that not only is classical music something that is accessible to them, but that it is very much a part of their cultural and musical tradition. I'm looking forward to sharing the stage with one of these students for a very special encore at Carnegie Hall."

Ghraichy's Brooklyn Music School workshops and master classes series is organized in collaboration with the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, as part of Kids Trail, a cultural program dedicated to children and families.

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