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Martin Riskin
Martin Riskin is a
native of New York City, born into a family of musicians that included Jascha Heifetz.
Heifetz's father was Martin's violin teacher but gave up when, at the age of eight, Martin
exhibited a complete lack of talent.
In his adult life,
Martin has worked in hotel management as Director of Banquets at the St. Regis, Pierre, Plaza,
and Waldorf-Astoria Hotels, as well as General Manager of the Lotos Club. He headed
Schenley Imported Wines, was President of L'Aiglon Wine and Spirits Import Company,
and served as a consultant to Remy Martin and other spirits companies. He also
founded Amaris, Ltd. which produces customized compact discs of music for leading hotels and
international airlines.
In the musical world
he was a founder of the New York Youth Symphony, the Puccini Foundation, the Sibelius Society,
the Massenet Society, and the World of Musicians. For many years he also served on the
boards of the Concert Artists Guild, American Landmark Festivals, and other organizations such
as the Manhattan Theatre Club.
He has been on the
board of the American Symphony Orchestra for 24 years, serving as chairman from 1990 to
1994.
While he lived in
Hawaii, 1995 to 1998, Martin was a founder of the Prince Albert Music Festival and the Kauai
International Theater. Now permanently back in New York, he is President of The Culture
Project and on the Music Committee of the National Arts Club.
The French Minister
of Culture decorated Martin as Chevalier in the Order of Arts and Letters in 1979. In the early
1980?s he became a founder and Vice President of the American Scandinavian Society and Chairman
of its Music Committee. He is the President of Opera Nova and Caprice Opera, both New York
based performing organizations. In addition, he is a board member of the E. & G. Ford
Foundation, which sponsors young American conductors and composers.
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