MUSIC...

There are so very many activities to enjoy in this city, it boggles the mind. Each and every hour of each and every day something is going on somewhere in New York that is interesting, informative, entertaining, and special...

Of course, being retired, I tend to look first at the FREE stuff, and there is plenty of that to do. A very helpful web site is:

http://clubfreetime.com/new_york.asp

and while it has a nominal fee to join, the listings there will give you hours of daily activities. If that search is expanded to events charging admission, then the possibilities are mind-numbing. For an example, I'll start with music.

While there are numerous concerts, and venus with live music, sometimes you simply stumble onto something unique without having planned it. This evening, returning home after dinner, we passed the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, on Columbus Ave and 60th Street. Seeing many people entering, we followed suit to discover a musical event about to take place, one we remembered reading of in that morning's New York Times. The Wordless Music Orchestra, with 50 members, would be playing a concert of three selections by composers of new classical music, one of which ('Popcorn Superhet Receiver'--named from a listing in a radio supply catalog) was by Jonny Greenwood, the lead guitarist of Radiohead. We were relatively early for this 'sit where you like' performance, and although the church eventually filled, my $30 got me a seat in a front row pew. I loved the compositions (especially 'Titantic') with their subtle and powerful harmonies, the taped overlays, and the almost mystical sense they conveyed. Lovely too was the church itself, with lighting brought in for the concert. During the intermission I was able to walk around, photograph, and appreciate the sculptures and alter.

All during this week Julliard has free nightly concerts of chamber music (called 'Chamberfest'). Students who return early from winter recess can take workshops in chamber music offered by facilty members for experience only--no fees but no credit. The workshops end with performances that are free to the public.

And, while returning home one early evening from the subway stop, I passed a window of what appeared to be a repair business for stringed instruments--I could see a man working on a cello while many violins and violas hung from the ceiling or were on shelves and counters throughout the room--everywhere it seemed. Have you ever seen THIS before? Just another reason to love this city--there's something new and unique around every corner...

Dan

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