Statement by the President on Holocaust Remembrance Day
Today, on Yom HaShoah, we solemnly remember the six million Jews and the millions of others murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust.
On this day, we honor the memory of the millions of individuals - the mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, friends and neighbors - who lost their lives during a time of unparalleled depravity and inhumanity. We reaffirm our ongoing responsibility as citizens and as a nation to live out the admonition, "Never forget. Never again." And we commit ourselves to preserving the memories of those who lived through the horrors of the Shoah, so that their experiences are not forgotten by our generation or by our children or grandchildren.
We also honor those who survived the Holocaust, many of them spared from death because of the righteous individuals who risked their lives to save Jews and other victims from Nazi persecution. The stories of these survivors and their protectors remind us to confront persecution wherever it arises, and that silence can be an accomplice to evil. They remind us of our duty to counter the rising tide of anti-Semitism, bigotry and hatred that threaten the values we hold dear-pluralism, diversity, and the freedoms of religion and expression.
Today, and every day, we stand in solidarity with the Jewish community both at home and abroad. We stand with those who are leaving the European cities where they have lived for generations because they no longer feel safe, with the members of institutions that have been attacked because of their Jewish affiliations, and with the college students forced to confront swastikas appearing on their campuses. And we call upon all people of good will to be vigilant and vocal against every form of bigotry.
When we recognize our interconnectedness and the fundamental dignity and equality of every human being, we help to build a world that is more accepting, secure and free. This is the best way to honor the legacy we recognize on Yom HaShoah and to fulfill our responsibilities to repair our world from generation to generation.
星期四, 5月 05, 2016
SALEM MAN CHARGED IN HOME DEPOT FRAUD SCAM
SALEM MAN CHARGED IN HOME DEPOT FRAUD SCAM
BOSTON – A Salem man was charged today in U.S. District Court in Boston with a scheme to defraud Home Depot of over $35,000.
Robert Dooley, 56, of Salem, Mass., was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of wire fraud. He was arrested this morning and will appear before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal at 2:15 p.m.
The complaint alleges that between January 2016 and February 2016, Dooley engaged in a scheme to defraud Home Depot by “returning” items he never purchased from the store to receive store credit. On each occasion, Dooley, entered Home Depot stores empty handed and gathered merchandise totaling $500 to $900. At the returns desk, Dooley falsely claimed that he previously purchased the items, but did not have a receipt. When he provided this driver’s license number to the clerk, Dooley often varied the number so the “return” would not immediately be detected as fraudulent. Dooley was then issued a Home Depot card for the fraudulent return. According to the complaint, Dooley perpetrated the scam over forty times at Home Depots stores in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Maine, racking up over $35,000 in fraudulent returns.
In 2007, Dooley was convicted of federal wire fraud charges arising out of a nearly identical scheme in which he defrauded Home Depot in excess of $330,000 from July 2004 through October 2005. In that case, he was sentenced to five years in federal prison.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris of Ortiz’s Public Corruption Unit.
HUD MAKES MORE THAN $37 MILLION AVAILABLE TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION
HUD MAKES MORE THAN $37 MILLION AVAILABLE TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION
Grants to support fair housing testing, education, enforcement activities
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that it is making $37.3 million available to fight housing discrimination under HUD's 2016 Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) Notice of Funding Availability(NOFA). This year's three funding notices support a variety of important fair housing activities, including fair housing testing in the rental and sales market, public education efforts, capacity building, and education and outreach activities.
Each year, HUD makes funding available to support organizations interested in the enforcement of fair housing laws and policies as well as educating the public, housing providers, and local governments about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act.
“The work HUD's fair housing partners do every day is critical to our efforts to ensure that every family in America has an equal shot at finding the home that is right for them,” said HUD's Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Gustavo Velasquez. “These grants help to provide the critical financial resources they need to do their work.”
The categories of grants announced today are:
- Education and Outreach Initiative grants (EOI) – $7,450,000 available. HUD awards these to groups that educate the public and housing providers about their rights and responsibilities under federal law or state and local fair housing laws that are equivalent to the Fair Housing Act. This year's funds include $1,250,000 toward a national media campaign; $250,000 toward tester coordinator training; and the rest for general regional, local and community based programs.
- Fair Housing Organizations Initiative (FHOI) – $500,000 available. HUD awards these to help build the capacity and effectiveness of non-profit fair housing organizations, particularly organizations that focus on the rights and needs of underserved groups, such as rural and immigrant populations.
- Private Enforcement Initiative grants (PEI) – Total PEI multi-year funding is $29,375,000. However, $22,452,542 has already been reserved for FY 2014 and FY 2015 multi-year grantees, making $6,922,458available for FY2016 new awardees. This year's PEI funds also include $975,000 to address lending discrimination.
Applicants who are interested in applying for funding under the NOFAs should go to www.Grants.gov and search for the three “FHIP” NOFAs, forms, instructions and other application material. Additional information can be found on HUD's website at www.hud.gov, and here.
Applications must be received by June 23, 2016.
People who believe they have been denied a reasonable accommodation request may file a complaint by contacting HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 927-9275 (TTY). Housing discrimination complaints may also be filed by going to www.hud.gov/fairhousing.
Federal Support for the Flint Water Crisis Response and Recovery
Federal Support for the Flint Water Crisis Response and Recovery
The President and his Administration are committed to doing everything possible to assist local and state efforts to help the people of Flint in this crisis. At the direction of President Obama, there has been an all-of-government response to this crisis: from the over 9 million liters of water and 50,000 filters distributed by FEMA, to the expansion of Medicaid, funding for Head Start and local health centers by HHS, to water testing and technical expertise by EPA, and helping to provide help for the local economy to recover by SBA, HUD and others. The federal government will continue to offer expertise and technical assistance to state and local agencies for as long as needed to support in the community's recovery and resilience.
On January 16, 2016, President Obama issued an emergency declaration for the State of Michigan and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions in Flint, Michigan, affected by contaminated water. The President's action authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide water, water filters, water filter cartridges, water test kits, and other necessary related items; assistance with those commodities has been extended through August 14, 2016.
Additionally, the President offered assistance in identifying other Federal agency capabilities that could support the recovery effort but do not require an emergency declaration. On January 19, the President designated the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as the lead Federal agency responsible for coordinating Federal support for response and recovery efforts in Flint. Dr. Nicole Lurie, the HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and currently the Federal Government's senior response official in Flint, is coordinating the efforts of all the Federal agencies, including: HHS agencies, FEMA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Labor (DOL), the Department of Commerce (DOC), and the Department of Education (ED). Federal agencies are providing water and filters to the State of Michigan, testing water in Flint residences, and supporting health and community outreach.
Federal agencies will continue to offer expertise and technical assistance to state and local agencies for as long as needed to support the community's recovery and resilience.
Ensuring Access to Safe Water
Federal officials have worked with state and local partners to improve access to bottled water and water filters.
* FEMA has provided over 9.3 million liters of water to the state for distribution, over 50,000 water and pitcher filters, and over 243,000 filter replacement cartridges.
* HUD has worked with the Flint Housing Commission to ensure 100% installation, the future upkeep of water filters in every unit of public housing, and HUD's Federally-assisted and HUD-insured properties.
* In addition, HUD is working with local partners to ensure that seniors and disabled residents in public housing receive and have continuing access to clean water.
Protecting Health
Blood Lead Testing
The Federal Government is working to make blood lead testing available for Flint residents, especially children under the age of six.
* HHS continues to work with healthcare providers and local officials to offer blood lead testing to as many children and residents as possible.
* To assist with the testing initiative, USDA temporarily authorized blood lead screening at clinics for participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
* HUD is working with a local provider to offer onsite blood lead testing for children in public housing.
The U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps cleared a backlog of approximately 800 blood lead level screening results and prepared test result notifications for parents and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
Rash Investigation
EPA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) experts continue to support the state's investigation of rashes and other skin concerns affecting Flint residents to help identify potential causes. Lead is not known to be a skin irritant.
Services for Children
The HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expanded Medicaid coverage for children and young people up to age 21 and pregnant women in Flint impacted by lead exposure. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services expects to begin enrollment in May.
* Approximately 15,000 additional children, young people, and pregnant women will now be eligible for Medicaid coverage, and 30,000 current Medicaid beneficiaries in the area are eligible for expanded services.
* This comprehensive health and developmental coverage includes blood lead level monitoring, behavioral health services, and targeted case management. Targeted case management services will include assistance to help impacted residents gain access to needed medical, social, educational, and other services.
HHS provided $250,000 in emergency supplemental funding to both the Hamilton Community Health Network and Genesee Health System to hire new staff and provide additional services. In the first 30 days after receiving the funds, the health centers reportedly provided outreach services to more than 2,600 patients to help prevent continued lead exposure, tested more than 1,600 patients for lead, referred 28 patients with elevated lead levels for follow-up appointments, including 27 patients younger than six years old, and provided behavioral health services for almost 450 patients.
Since February, Federal nurses have assisted Genesee County Health Department with enrolling children with elevated blood lead levels into Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services Lead Poisoning Prevention Program for case management. Federal nurses from the CDC, the U.S. Public Health Service, and the HHS Health Resources and Services Administration have made 377 homes visits and phone calls to Genesee County families to help enroll children in the program and provide lead prevention education.
The HHS Administration for Children and Families provided guidance to the state on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, with the goal of helping families in the program access bottled water, gas cards, and bus passes to reach water distribution sites or healthcare facilities.
One-time HHS emergency funding of $3.6 million helped Head Start grantees expand early childhood education, behavioral health services, health services, and nutrition services. Grantees have:
* Opened three additional classrooms beginning March 2016 through June 2017 for children in the most affected areas. These classes were filled by March 28.
* Lengthened the current school year by three weeks and lengthened the school day from seven hours to seven-and-a-half hours.
* Provided Head Start comprehensive services to preschoolers already enrolled in the school's special education program.
* Enrolled two dozen additional children in the home-based model.
An assistant surgeon general with the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps worked with the mayor's office as a health advisor to help develop health goals for a community recovery plan and to help identify a permanent health advisor for the city.
Nutrition
Foods rich in calcium, iron and vitamin C helps mitigate lead absorption in children. USDA increased access to these foods by:
* Providing summertime nutrition assistance through a Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer pilot program for the more than 15,000 Flint children who live or attend schools in the area affected by lead-contaminated water. These students are eligible to receive a $30 benefit package each summer month for nutritious foods that may help mitigate lead absorption. Nationwide, the pilot program will provide $26.9 million for summertime nutrition assistance this year.
* Encouraging all eligible Flint Community Schools and other Flint-area schools to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision, a program that ensures universal access to healthy, school meals.
* Providing an additional $62,700 to help schools purchase fresh fruit and vegetable snacks. Four additional schools serving more than 1,200 students are now participating in this program.
Allowing eligible mothers of non-breastfed infants to use WIC benefits for ready-to-feed infant formula, which does not need to be mixed with water.
Behavioral Health
HHS behavioral health teams provided basic psychological first-aid skills training to 183 people. They conducted stress management training with 247 healthcare providers and responders and taught a "Train the Trainers" for 32 local providers to enable them to teach basic psychological first-aid training. HHS also sponsored Spanish and English versions of the training materials tailored to the Flint water crisis to be shared with the community.
HHS also facilitated development of a long-term mental health recovery and resilience plan in coordination with Genesee Health System and other community partners to help improve the behavioral health system as the community recovers. This plan will be implemented by the community with technical assistance from the HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Restoring Flint's Water System
EPA is conducting water testing to monitor restoration of the city's water system. Results show the system is recovering.
* Diagnostic Lead Sampling: EPA is conducting lead sampling upon request and in homes that are identified as being at risk for high lead levels to help determine if lead is coming from the house or the service line. Most sampling teams are accompanied by community engagement staff to ensure that residents can ask questions and receive plain-language answers about sampling. EPA has evaluated over 4,500 samples in more than 650 homes and other properties. These results are available via an interactive map at >www.epa.gov/flint<
* Lead and Copper Rule Sampling: In accordance with the administrative order that EPA issued to the State of Michigan, EPA reviews Michigan's Lead and Copper Rule compliance sampling plans before they are implemented. EPA may also collect samples at some of these locations to gather more information about the impact of lead in the water.
* Testing Lead Filters in Homes: EPA has taken nearly 400 samples of drinking water in approximately 200 homes at residents' request and in households with known lead levels of 100 parts per billion or higher to test the effectiveness of filters at removing lead at high concentrations. Filters distributed in response to this water crisis are rated at 150 parts per billion. EPA's sampling results confirm that the filters are effective in removing lead from drinking water at levels higher than 150 parts per billion. As a precaution, bottled water is still considered the safest option for vulnerable populations, including pregnant and breast-feeding women, infants, and children under six years old whose water tests higher than 150 parts per billion. Everyone else should use filtered water for drinking and cooking. Pets should also drink filtered water.
* Overall Water Quality Testing: EPA is collecting water samples from locations throughout Flint to evaluate the levels of fluoride, other compounds, and pH. As part of this assessment, EPA is analyzing the overall stability of water quality throughout Flint's distribution system. EPA is also testing to be sure enough chlorine is in the water. Chlorine is used to disinfect drinking water and prevent the growth of bacteria and other pathogens. At locations where chlorine is low, EPA follows up with additional testing for bacteria.
* Flush for Flint Initiative: EPA, the City of Flint, and the State of Michigan launched the Flush for Flint campaign to encourage residents to run water from their kitchen sinks and bathroom tubs for 5 minutes each day for 14 straight days during the month of May. More water flowing will help flush out additional lead particles in the water system. The State of Michigan is paying for the program and credit will be added to residents' water bills.
Economic Recovery
The Federal Government is providing economic development assistance to help Flint recover from the crisis and continue to grow its economy.
* The U.S. Department of Labor is providing a National Dislocated Worker Grant for up to $15 million to assist with humanitarian and recovery efforts resulting from the water crisis in Flint. The $7.5 million released initially is providing temporary employment for eligible individuals to assist with recovery work, as well as offer career and training services to help them find permanent work.
* SBA provided approximately $400,000 in additional funding through a number of programs, including $100,000 in Microloan capital, an additional $100,000 available for training and technical assistance to Flint entrepreneurs, a $100,000 increase in existing technical assistance for small businesses in the area, and $100,000 in supplemental funding to the Kettering University Small Business Development Center. SBA also approved a state request for low-interest disaster loans for small businesses within the greater Flint area.
* The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) determined properties may still qualify for FHA-insured mortgage if the individual water purification system meets all Federal, state, and local standards. This helps homebuyers in Flint secure FHA-insured loans.
* HUD allowed $325,000 of an existing lead-paint hazard grant for public housing in Flint to be applied to this crisis.
* Technical and capacity-building assistance to Flint through the White House Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) initiative has been extended through 2016. Co-chaired by HUD and the Domestic Policy Council with the involvement of 19 federal agencies, this program focuses on economic development in economically distressed communities. Flint has a federal team lead embedded in city hall coordinating Federal resources to support the city in three core areas: public safety, blight elimination, and economic development.
Connecting the Community to Public Health Resources and Services
* EPA has partnered with local non-profit organizations on a door-to-door canvassing effort to educate residents on safeguards they should employ to protect themselves from high lead exposure. To date, EPA has collaborated with these organizations to reach more than 10,000 homes. In addition, EPA staff have made more than 500 visits to approximately 450 locations around Flint to inform and engage residents regarding the federal government's response efforts and related resources.
* HUD, the Flint Housing Commission, and more than a dozen local partners collaborated on a Lead Testing and Informational pilot outreach event. More than 250 public housing residents participated to learn more about the water situation in Flint, lead testing, available health services, and general public health information.
Building Capacity through National Service
* The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), which administers AmeriCorps, recently announced $1.3 million in new AmeriCorps commitments >www.nationalservice.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2016/national-service-agency-announces-13-million-new-americorps-commitments< to support state and local efforts addressing the water emergency, blight, and public safety in Flint. On May 2, nearly 20 AmeriCorps NCCC members arrived in Flint to support water distribution, resource coordination, and blight elimination efforts. CNCS is expanding Operation AmeriCorps to support a total of 55 AmeriCorps members in the Flint Community School Corps to provide before, during, and after-school and summer learning activities for K-7 grade students, including tutoring, health education, conflict resolution, service-learning, and access to social services. In total, more than 120 AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers have been deployed to Flint in response to the water crisis.
MAYOR WALSH, BPHC RELEASE HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
MAYOR WALSH, BPHC RELEASE HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
|
Report Demonstrates Impact of Changes to Boston's Living Wage Ordinance on the Health of Low Wage Workers
|
BOSTON - Wednesday, May 4, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined health officials to announce the findings of the Boston Public Health Commission's (BPHC) health impact assessment of Boston's Living Wage Ordinance, highlighting opportunities to strengthen the Living Wage Ordinance by increasing the living wage and expanding the pool of workers protected by the ordinance.
"As a city, one of our top priorities is making Boston an equitable and inclusive city for everyone," said Mayor Walsh. "This Health Impact Assessment is another step in the process we're taking to make all of our city's labor and wage laws work for our residents. I thank all of our partners and the Boston Public Health Commission for their work on this report and look forward to our important work ahead to provide our residents with the tools and services they need to become financially empowered."
"This report demonstrates Boston's commitment to improving health for all Boston residents and, in particular, achieving health equity by addressing the social determinants of health," said BPHC Executive Director Monica Valdes Lupi. "The living wage ordinance was originally passed almost 20 years ago to give workers a better chance at making a living in Boston. While it may have succeeded initially in achieving its goal, it now falls short."
The health impact assessment represents more than a year of in-depth study of Boston's Living Wage Ordinance, engagement with dozens of stakeholders, and an analysis of the relationship between health and socioeconomic status. The analysis examined the relationship between income and health to estimate the benefits of increasing the living wage. The report predicts that an increase from $14 to $17 per hour would create measurable health benefits among living wage workers, including:
The current ordinance applies to a small number of workers - about 600 - at the bottom of the wage scale. Mayor Walsh and health officials recommend both an expansion of its reach and increased efforts to enforce its implementation, including improved data collection systems. The Walsh Administration and BPHC will use the data collected to better target programs and services, such as job training opportunities, to low wage workers. Officials plan to work with local, private businesses around enforcement and expansion.
The project, which is funded through a grant from the Health Impact Project (a joint venture of the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation), began in November 2014. The living wage ordinance economic analysis was performed by partners at the Center for Social Policy at the University of Massachusetts Boston. With the city's commitment to economic equity and inclusion, the results offer a better understanding of the connection between health and economic factors, paving the way for changes that could improve the health and well-being of low wage workers.
Mayor Walsh, BPHC, City Council and the Advisory Board will continue to fully explore opportunities to expand and strengthen the Living Wage Ordinance.
About the Boston Public Health Commission
The Boston Public Health Commission, the country's oldest health department, is an independent public agency providing a wide range of health services and programs. It is governed by a seven-member board of health appointed by the Mayor of Boston.
Public service and access to quality health care are the cornerstones of our mission - to protect, preserve, and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, particularly those who are most vulnerable. The Commission's more than 40 programs are grouped into six bureaus: Child, Adolescent & Family Health; Community Health Initiatives; Homeless Services; Infectious Disease; Bureau of Recovery Services; and Emergency Medical Services.
|
SAUGUS STORE OWNER AND BROTHER SENTENCED FOR TRAFFICKING IN COUNTERFEIT IPHONE COMPONENTS
SAUGUS STORE OWNER AND BROTHER SENTENCED FOR
TRAFFICKING IN COUNTERFEIT IPHONE COMPONENTS
BOSTON – Two Peabody men were sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Boston for trafficking in counterfeit iPhone components at Accessory Depot, a store in Square One Mall in Saugus.
Mickey Punjabi, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to six months of home incarceration, two years of probation, 200 hours of community service and a fine of $7,500. His brother, Hitesh Punjabi, 33, was sentenced by Judge Casper to three months of home confinement, two years of probation, 100 hours of community service and a fine of $7,500. Both men were jointly ordered to pay restitution of $114,751 and forfeit assets seized from their home, which includes over $200,000 in cash and cash equivalents. In January 2016, the men were charged with conspiring to traffick in counterfeit goods, specifically iPhone components that bore Apple trademarks but were not genuine Apple products. Micky Punjabi, who owned the store, was also charged with trafficking in the counterfeit Apple components.
From December 2010 to February 2015, the Punjabis sold counterfeit Apple merchandise at Accessory Depot. Micky Punjabi also repaired genuine iPhones using counterfeit components purchased from sources outside the United States and from a supplier within the United States. Micky Punjabi knew that the goods he was selling were counterfeit, but sold and attempted to sell thousands of pieces of counterfeit merchandise.
At today’s sentencing, Judge Casper stated, “This is a serious crime…[T]here is harm not just to companies involved in terms of their reputation and the integrity of their products but also to the members of the public who bought those products.”
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Matthew Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Harman Burkart of Ortiz’s Cybercrime Unit.
中國旅美青年音樂家胡濱、夏菁交融古箏、吉他
轉載 AACYF
旅美青年音乐家以东西方融合方式完美阐述音乐文化间的联系与归属
在刚刚结束的亚利桑那大学孔子学院与音乐学院中国音乐中心联合主办的《丝路之声》音乐会中，来自中国的青年古筝演奏家夏菁与国际知名青年吉他演奏家胡滨合作的古筝与吉他二重奏首演了其共同改编的两部西班牙音乐经典作品。以中国传统乐器古筝与西洋乐器吉他完美结合的表现形式，向听众展现了不同音乐文化之间的联系与归属。获得了当地主流音乐界人士的高度关注，胡滨和夏菁已收到了西班牙音乐节的邀请，与世界各地知名音乐家同台演出。
当天的音乐会中夏菁与胡滨用古筝与吉他诠释这两部西班牙作品的尝试获得了意想不到的效果。第一首《风景》曲集（Landscapes）的第一乐章《钟声和泉水》（La fuente y la campana）和第二乐章《湖》（El lago）是西班牙作曲家孟普（Federico Mompou）为钢琴创作的独奏曲，其风格受印象派影响，朦胧唯美。第一乐章中古筝清亮的旋律如远处教堂的钟声，与泉水般灵动流淌的吉他声部相互呼应。第二乐章展现了A-B-A曲式结构，其中吉他均匀的十六分音符烘托出宁静的湖面，配合着古筝飘在上面的七度音程，宛如莫奈的画作跃然眼前。
第二首作品是西班牙作曲家法雅（Manuel de Falla）广为人知的《火祭舞》（Danza ritual del fuego），选自轻歌剧《爱的魔力》（El amor brujo）。作为法雅最受欢迎的作品之一，世界各地的音乐家们已将其改编成丰富多样的版本，其中包括钢琴独奏、提琴与钢琴重奏、交响乐队以及吉他二重奏等。
夏菁以中国传统民族乐器古筝富有感染力的左手按弦技法以及戏剧性的按音把祭祀舞蹈的原始与神秘表现得恰当好处。胡滨在其丰富的游学演奏经历中积累了众多的音乐素材，在与夏菁交流了解了古筝的音阶与乐器特性后，几经思考选择了这两首作品作为初次合奏的曲目。在排练过程中，经过两人不断的研究、尝试与磨合终于找到了适用于两种乐器各自特点的演奏方式。古筝在与吉他的第一次合作中碰撞出了精彩的火花。
古筝与吉他的表现形式向听众展现了不同音乐文化之间的联系与归属。虽然来自欧亚大陆东西两个文化，还是不难从其中找到相同点的。历史上阿拉伯人的统治使得西班牙成为了中西方文化交融的温床。其中，弗拉门戈音乐就是受东方文化影响的典型产物。这种音乐风格和中国的西部音乐风格是同源的。正是如此使得古筝在演奏法雅的《火祭舞》时能将其带有古怪趣味的旋律表现得淋漓尽致、恰到好处。
除了上述音乐文化的相通点，印象派风格也是古筝与吉他的另一个桥梁。西班牙作曲家孟普的钢琴独奏曲集《风景》采用了印象派的写作手法，分别对泉水、钟声以及湖面进行了描述。印象派音乐源于法国，以德彪西和拉威尔为代表，其中借鉴了大量的东方音乐元素。《风景》曲集中所描绘的意境不难让我们想起中国的古乐和写意画。尽管采用西方的作曲手法，其效果与中国的音乐有着异曲同工之妙。尤其当古筝演奏作品中五声调式的时候，她所散发出来的空灵气质带给观众一种文化回归的体验。
青年古筝演奏家夏菁，中国音乐学院古筝专业研究生毕业，现任教于亚利桑那大学孔子学院，在推动中国民族音乐等方面，进行了卓有成效的尝试。受到当地音乐界人士和学生的喜爱。
旅美古典吉他演奏家胡滨，2012年在奥地利吉他演奏家马克塔玛友教授的指导下以满分获得了萨尔茨堡莫扎特音乐表演大学的硕士学位。2013年获得美国亚利桑那大学全额奖学金攻读古典吉他演奏博士学位，同时任教於该校。
胡滨是2014年美国图森吉他大赛冠军，2016年大卫罗素巴赫奖得主。曾获得格莱美奖的着名吉他演奏家大卫罗素作为此奖项的创办者在听了胡滨的现场演奏後作出了如下评价：“胡滨的演奏充满力量，令人信服，是我所听到的这首奏鸣曲最好的演奏版本之一。”
作为当今中国最前线的古典吉他学术研究者之一，胡滨关於巴赫的学术研究及音乐会等活动均由美国北方信托银行艺术家基金会赞助。此奖项是美国亚利桑那州为艺术家设立的最具影响力的奖项。（AACYF洛杉矶讯）
訂閱：
文章 (Atom)