The Honorees: iPalpiti "Heartbeat" Award

Honoree | Recipient of the “Heartbeat” Award Lloyd E. Rigler-Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation | James Rigler, President

Lloyd Eugene Rigler (1915-2003) was born in Lehr, North Dakota. He was an industrialist, investor, and philanthropist. His arts philanthropy ranged from music in Los Angeles to ballet in his native Northern Plains to the New York City Opera to public television. After graduation from University of Illinois, he moved to New York City, working for a marketing research agency and heading guest relations for RCA’s exhibit featuring “television”, its newest invention, at the 1939-40 New York World’s Fair. A year later he moved to Los Angeles and became a salesman for Decca Records. As a businessman, he and his partner, Lawrence E. Deutsch, made Adolph’s Meat Tenderizer a national brand prior to its acquisition by Unilever. Following the sale of their company, Lloyd and Mr. Deutsch formed the Lloyd E. Rigler – Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation.

Besides helping with the restoration of Carnegie Hall in New York, both Lloyd and Mr. Deutsch commissioned the Jacques Lipschitz sculpture “Peace on Earth” for the Music Center Plaza in Los Angeles, where it remains as a landmark to this day. One of Lloyd’s notable philanthropic efforts was the establishment in 1994 of Classic Arts Showcase, noncommercial television channel promoting performing arts at no cost to public television stations. He was on the board of the Los Angeles Philharmonic for twenty years and on the board of the City Center of Music and Drama in New York. He was co-chairman of the New York City Opera board until the long cross-country commute prompted him to become vice chairman. Lloyd appointed his nephew James Rigler as a successor to preside over the foundation. James has been continuing the legacy of the philanthropy with his keen ear and appreciation for talent, and as a producer of Classic Arts Showcase, now in its 28th year of continuous broadcasts, bringing a wide range of music and arts to the public free of charge.

Laura & Eduard Schmieder were introduced to Lloyd in 1998 by a dedicated volunteer Barbara Capell, and it was a “match” from the first sight. Starting with the first iPalpiti orchestra concert in Los Angeles in 1999 at the Ford Theatre, Classic Arts Showcase has been filming and showcasing iPalpiti’s memorable performances at each annual festival, from local venues including Zipper Concert Hall, Greystone Mansion, Saban Theatre, and from 2004, each annual concert from Walt Disney Concert Hall. Lloyd and his nephew James Rigler attended all iPalpiti performances, and Lloyd was the guiding light in setting up our FIRST grant challenge (the year was 1998!). He also was instrumental in setting-up iPalpiti’s Student Coalition for the Arts, which we have been actively implementing until Covid. His vision was that students in public schools must learn early that concert attendance must be paid for with earned money. iPalpiti musicians went to public schools to 6-8 graders, performed and spoke about their chosen professions, and dozens of students each year came to concerts with their parents, paying for the tickets from $2-5 each with their saved money. Lloyd also encouraged us to start a Mentor Program between iPalpiti musicians and an aspiring students learning in public school orchestral programs. This too was a very successful program in many performing arts schools that were in existence in the 1990-2010.

James Rigler (2014) with iPalpiti artists alto-tenor Daniel Bubeck & Icelandic soprano Disela Lárusdóttir after performance of “Stabat Mater” at Disney Hall. A MET soprano since 2013, Disela won a Grammy 2022 for the Best Opera Recording of the Year. The “Stabat Mater” recording of iPalpiti received Grammy nomination in 2014.

In celebrating 25th anniversary, iPalpiti “Heartbeat” Award recipients are:

• Founders: LAURA & EDUARD SCHMIEDER • Leadership: PETER RAINER-Germany, iPalpiti’s concertmaster since 1994. • Dedication: MIKHAIL GERSHFELD, First Chairman of the Board (1998-2000) and 2020 – to date • Visionary: ROBERT R. STROKER, Dean, Boyer College of Music & Dance/Center for the Arts; Vice Provost for the Arts, Temple University. • Visionary: JOYCE & AUBREY CHERNICK • Never Miss a Beat: CONRAD CHOW-Canada, violinist since 2010. • Never Miss a Beat: JOSEPH KAUFFMAN-USA, violinist/violist, orchestra manager/van driver since 2010. • Never Miss a Beat: MIDORI MARUYAMA-Japan, violist since 2012. • Never Miss a Beat: FRANCISCO VILA-Ecuador, cellist since 2009.

Previous Recipients:

2007: MARY LEVIN CUTLER, Founding Chairman ADA & LEONARD SANDS 2010: JONATHAN STEINBERG, Chairman of the Board 2000 - 2020 (on occasion of his 10 years leadership).

BACK FRONT

The music notation is a famous tune from Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” a celebratory poem addressing the unity of all mankind.

Sasha Shagin, Creator/Designer:

Shagin’s first medal commemorating 300th birthday of Peter the Great was produced by the Leningrad (St. Petersburg) Mint and acquired by the Hermitage Museum for their permanent collection (1972). Among the highlights of his work are: • Collection of coin designs for the Moscow Olympics of 1980 was produced by the Russia's Treasury Dept. • Medal for the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics was awarded the first prize by AMSA, produced by the Metallic Art Co. • Medal "One Planet" was selected by the Society of Medalists and produced by MAC. (1988) • Received prestigious Medal of Excellence Award from The American Numismatic Association (1990) • A collection of designs "500 years of the Americas" licensed and marketed by Bahamas authorities (1992) • Solo exhibit of over 40 of cast medals at the Ariel Art Gallery in SoHo, New York • Art medals exhibit by the American Numismatic Society with the Sanford Saltus Award in recognition for contributions to national numismatic community (1995) • Commemorative coin for Anne Frank selected and produced by the Numismatic Authority by the State of Israel (1997) • U.S. Mint project commemorating the U.S.Capitol was accepted by the U.S.Treasury (2001) • Bronze cast medal "Bonjour FIDEM" [Fédération Internationale de la Médaille] was selected as an official gift from American Medallic Sculpture Association (AMSA) to the participating delegations at the International Congress in Paris, France (2002). On display at The British Museum. Shagin’s art continues to be in high demand nationally and internationally in medal and awards making for celebrities, museums, and Medal Collectors of America.