"WALDEN IN
NEW YORK"
GALA FUNDRAISER AT
LINCOLN CENTER
OCTOBER 4th, 2007
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Barbara was asked to perform as a
special guest of Don Henley of the Eagles. Also on stage that evening in
the Allen Room of Jazz at Lincoln Center were Billy Joel, and the Eagles
with Don Henley. After the performances, the "Walden Steinway" was
auctioned off by Christies for over half a million dollars at this
exclusive $5000 a plate affair, with all proceeds donated to the Walden
Woods Project. Among the notables in the audience were Bette Midler, Val
Kilmer, Bono, Ed Begley, Rebecca de Mornay, and Georgina Ginastera of
Buenos Aires, daughter of Argentine composer, Alberto Ginastera.
In 1990, Don Henley founded the Walden
Woods Project, a nonprofit organization, located just outside Boston, MA
that advocates for the global environment, preserves the land that
inspired the iconic American writer/philosopher Henry David Thoreau, and
furthers Thoreau's legacy through national/international education and
research. The Project has protected 160 acres of once-endangered land
in historic Walden Woods, while reaching hundreds of teachers and
students throughout the United States and beyond with highly relevant
programs related to Thoreau's philosophy on the environment and social
reform. Additional information on the organization may be found at
www.walden.org.
The Walden Woods Project was honored to collaborate with Steinway and Sons on the creation of the Walden Woods art case piano -- a one-of-a-kind collector's item; a museum quality work of art and, most importantly, a superior musical instrument. The Walden Steinway concert grand piano features the artistry of Silas Kopf, one of the world's finest marquetry artists. The marquetry/inlaid wood on the Walden Steinway showcases the natural beauty and the rich flora and fauna found in the Massachusetts woods and ponds that inspired the writings of Henry David Thoreau. The design of the piano honors Thoreau's legacy as the father of the American conservation movement. The piano has been played by an extraordinary and diverse group of artists, including Emanuel Ax, Evgeny Kissin, Billy Joel, Elton John, Herbie Hancock, Dave Brubeck, Bruce Hornsby, Barbara Nissman and Norah Jones. Each of these artists has autographed the plate of the Walden Steinway. A generous amount of the auction price will support the work of the Walden Woods Project and its partner, American Forests (our nation's oldest, nonprofit citizens' conservation organization).
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