Party Pictures 10/11/04 - The Premiere Commission Music Foundation hosted a gala dinner honored David Rockefeller, Central Park Conservancy's annual membership meeting and Tree Trust Breakfast

The Premiere Commission Music Foundation hosted a gala dinner at La Grenouille honoring David Rockefeller

Betsy Cronkite, Walter Cronkite, Schuyler Chapin, and Richard Goldman

David Rockefeller and Peter Jennings

On Monday evening, September 27th, The Premiere Commission Music Foundation hosted a gala dinner at La Grenouille restaurant celebrating "A Musical Portrait Chuck Close" by composer Philip Glass.

Chuck Close and Glass have been friends for many years, influencing and sharing a passion for each other's work. In 1982, Close created a memorable portrait of Philip Glass. It seemed appropriate that one day, through his music, Glass would in turn capture the remarkable spirit of Chuck Close.

David Rockefeller receives a framed copy of the first page of Philip Glass’ “A Musical Portrait of Chuck Close” signed by the composer and commissioned in honor of DR’s upcoming 90th birthday

In 2000, David Rockefeller purchased the 1982 portrait and donated it to Rockefeller University in honor of its Centenary. That work then became the inspiration for a musical portrait of the artist. This year, in honor of Mr. Rockefeller’s upcoming 90th birthday, the Premiere Commission Foundation commissioned Philip Glass' piano solo "A Musical Portrait of Chuck Close.” On September 27th, the Premiere Commission Foundation both celebrated this beautiful new work and honored Mr. Rockefeller, one of our country's greatest patron's of the arts.

Premiere Commission, Inc. is a non-profit organization that champions new generations of composers and the outstanding instrumentalists and ensembles that interpret their works. The organization was founded in 2001 with the support of Pulitzer Prize-winning composers William Bolcom and George Perle, pianists Bruce Levingston and Morey Ritt, and arts patrons Richard Goldman, Michael Kempner, George Plimpton and David Rockefeller.

In 2002, Premiere Commission sponsored the world premiere of Harvard Fromm Foundation Award-winner Curtis-Smith's acclaimed "Etudes" at New York's Lincoln Center. In 2003, Premiere Commission sponsored the world premieres of sixteen new works for string quartet including works by Pulitzer Prize-winners John Corigliano, David Del Tredici, and Paul Moravec.

The concert, performed by the Elements Quartet, was named "Best Classical Event of 2003" by The Washington Post. on April 25, 2005, the Premiere Commission Foundation will sponsor the world premiere of Philip Glass' "A Musical Portrait of Chuck Close" at Lincoln Center with pianist Bruce Levingston as soloist.

At the gala at Grenouille, which raised $250,000 for the cause, the brilliant Elements String Quartet performed works from its recent tour and an artwork of Chuck Close was auctioned off by Jamie Niven to benefit the Premiere Commission Foundation. The toastmasters for the evening included ABC anchor Peter Jennings, former NYC Cultural Commissioner Schuyler Chapin, Titan and Alexander Hamilton author Ron Chernow, Agnes Gund, president emerita of the Museum of Modern Art, and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

Among the 120 attending were: Heidi Holterbosch and Pietro Cicognani, Leo and Grega Daly, George Farias, Felicia Taylor, Veronica Hearst, Bob Colacello, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kempner, Agnes Gund and Daniel Shapiro, Ron and Valerie Chernow, William F. Buckley, Tamara Leuchtenburg, Elizabeth de Cuevas, Dr. Augusta Gross, Mr. Leslie Samuels, Dorothy Lichtenstein, Anna-Marie and Robert Shapiro, Ellen Graham, Mr. and Mrs. Alberto Mariaca, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Stevenson, Joan and George Hornig, Jourdan Arpelle-Ziegler, Henry Steinway Ziegler, Wlater Isaacson, Alex Donner, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and Paul Pelosi, Richard Goldman, Virginia Sloane, Chuck Close, Dr. and Mrs. Henry Kaufman, Philip Beekman, Sheila Labreque, Alessandro Nasi, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Schwab, Beverly Sills, Manuel Gonzalez, Maria Elena Lagomasino, Marlene Hess and Jim Zirin, Mr. and Mrs. Schuyler Chapin, Henry and Nancy Kissinger, Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson Pillsbury, Peter Jennings, Annette and Oscar de la Renta and Betsy and Walter Cronkite.

The live auction included the following items:

• a 1982 "thumbprint" lithograph of composer Philip Glass by artist Chuck Close from artists' collection
• dinner at Per Se restaurant for 6
• dinner at THE MODERN for 4 at Museum of Modern Art
• dinner at Blue Hill at Stone Barns for 4 (on the Rockefeller estate)
• box seats (4) to the Lincoln Center World Premiere of Philip Glass' "A Musical Portrait of Chuck Close"
• house concert by The Elements Quartet

David Rockefeller and Chuck Close

Agnes Gund, David Rockefeller, and Daniel Shapiro

Don Pillsbury, Nancy Kissinger, and Chuck Close

David Rockefeller, Bruce Levingston, and William F. Buckley, Jr.

Marnie and Don Pillsbury

Annette and Oscar de la Renta

Maria Elena Lagomasino and Beverly Sills

L. to r.: Marnie Pillsbury, David Rockefeller, and Bruce Levingston; Henry Kissigner toasting David Rockefeller; David Rockefeller and Annette de la Renta laughing at Henry Kissinger’s toast.

Photographs by Mary Hilliard

Central Park Conservancy's annual membership meeting and Tree Trust Breakfast

Nina Bauer and Lisa Errico

Bonnie Pope with Liz Peek and a friend

This past week the Women's Committee of the Central Park Conservancy was in full swing with its annual membership meeting at the Mandarin Oriental New York ballroom this past Tuesday and its annual Tree Trust Breakfast in the Mall of Central Park this past Wednesday.

At Tuesday's meeting over 110 members of the committee were in attendance. Karen LeFrak, President of the Women's Committee, presided over the meeting while each committee chair presented a report. Eleanora Kennedy, who organized the meeting, made sure that every detail was seen to perfection. So many wonderful friends of the Park were in attendance including Central Park Conservancy President Douglas Blonsky, Jessie Araskog, Robin Bell-Stevens, Norma Dana, Wendy Carduner, Anne Harrison, Gail Hilson, Simone Levinson, Muffy Miller, Marcia Mishaan, Pat Patterson, Susan Rudin, Betty Sherrill and Thorunn Wathne, and so many others.

Robyn Joseph, Suzanne Cochran, Carol McNierney, and Lisa Piegza

Thorunn Wathne and Jessie Araskog

Kerri Topping, Whitney Topping, and Samantha Topping

Guests at lunch

Guests at the Tree Trust breakfast

Adrian Benepe and Gail Hilson

The Tree Trust event also had an impressive roster as the guests gathered under the elms of Central Park's Mall. This year's event honored friend of the Conservancy, Pamela Fiori. Gail Hilson addressed the crowd and expressed her thanks to all those involved in helping the Tree Trust care for Central Park's 26,000 trees. Speakers included Conservancy President, Doug Blonsky, Parks Commissioner, Adrian Benepe and the honoree Pamela Fiori. Attendees included Chairmen, Eleanora Kennedy, Jean Clark, Betty Sherrill, Gail Hilson, Cathy Ingram, Martha Baker, Christina Lang Assael, Susan Burke, Bambi dela Gueronniere, Jane H. Gammill, Jeanne Jones, Collette Kean, Memrie M. Lewis, Hillie Mahoney, Toni Peebler, Fran Poole, Lila Prounis, Susan W. Rotenstreich, Alexia Hamm Ryan, Isabel Shattuck, Margaret Smith, Daisy Soros, Elizabeth F. Stribling, Priscilla Whittle and Mikel Witte as well as Norma Dana, Cynthia Lufkin, Suzanne Cochran, Michael Cannon and Adrienne Vittadini.

The Tree Trust has been an integral part of the Women's Committee since 1982. Since its inception, the Trust has raised over $6 million for the care and maintenance of the Park's trees.

Cathy Ingram, Pamela Fiori, and Gail Hilson

Sheila Labrecque and Karen LeFrak

Karen LeFrak (with poodles Jewel and Diamond), Eleanora Kennedy, Jean Clark, and Norma Dana

Eleanora Kennedy, Jean Clark, Norma Dana, and Tia Chapman

Lisa Hoenshell Boone hosted a luncheon honoring Dr. Patrick I. Borgen

Susan Fales-Hill, Lisa Hoenshell-Boone, Yildiz Blackstone, and Anka Palitz

Denise Wohl and Dr. Patrick Borgen

Luca Luca celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Lisa Hoenshell Boone hosting a luncheon to honor Dr. Patrick I. Borgen, Chief of Breast Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer.

Dr Borgen’s goal is to cure Breast Cancer while giving those suffering a greater quality of life. Dr. Borgen is hopeful that his landmark research study will provide much information about this dreaded disease and will point to new strategies for prevention and treatment.

Those attending learned of the newest advances in Breast Cancer while enjoying an elegant luncheon surrounded by a sea of pink flowers and a dazzling presentation of the Fall Luca Luca collections. In the crowd: Michele Herbert, Susan Fales Hill, Andrea Stark, Anka Palitz, Denise Wohl, Dr. Susan Krysiewicz, Ce Ce Black, Olivia Flatto, Ann Rapp, Nina Reeves. Heather Cohane, and Luca Luca’s Luca Orlandi.