It's either feast or famine with Auntie's social calendar. Part of that is due to her work schedule and part of that is due to the normal cycle of the performing arts world. In the last week or so, she's been busy just about every night -- what with one thing or another. The rest of the month is getting booked in just as fast, and one suspects that December will be a dazzling array of busy-ness.
Last night Auntie was at a work-related function at the New York Historical Society, a beautiful little gem of a museum on the Upper West Side near the Park. The function celebrated a worthwhile charity's 150th Anniversary, and Auntie needed to go and "represent." A cocktail party was held in a large portrait gallery and she spent most of the time looking at paintings from the Hudson River School of Artists and catching up with former colleague from the Big J. The event then adjourned into a recital hall where there were presentations of a scene from Ibsen's Hedda Gabler, a discussion of fashion from the 1850s, and a mini-recital by a soprano that works at the library where Auntie also works. It's a very small musical/non-profit world in the Big Apple. (Now that Auntie knows where the museum is, it's on the list of places to visit again this summer. Museum + a/c + heat and humidty = good times.)
Last Thursday night, thanks to another work-related contact, Auntie got to attend her first New York Philharmonic concert. She can't remember the last time she went to the symphony and actually was an audience member, without having to worry about running around to do something work-related! It was a nice change. Auntie took a colleague to keep her company, and they both got to relax a bit out of the office. The evening was a program of all-American music and was part of the Leonard Bernstein celebrations going on around the City this year.
This was the first time that Auntie's associate was able to hear Copland's Appalachian Spring in this full orchestration. Both were moved by Philharmonic’s interpretation, especially the “Simple Gifts” passages. You know you've heard the tune, but until the music swells up from a full world-renowned orchestra, you don't know what you are missing. It literally can bring you to tears.
The second piece was a work by Elliott Carter, who is six weeks shy of his 100th birthday. While Auntie is not a fan of some 'modern' classical music, and this piece didn't do much for her, Mr. Carter’s appearance on-stage after his Rewakings was completely inspiring. The audience gave him a standing ovation, some for the music, and some for just walking out on stage under his own power. One can only hope to be as spry and acute when one reaches his advanced age.
Auntie particularly enjoyed the second half of the concert. The Bernstein Jeremiah was new to her; the movement, Profanation, resonated especially. The program notes explain that Mr. Bernstein intended the movement to express “… a general sense of … destruction and chaos. …” Being that the building where Auntie works and Lincoln Center in general, are in a constant state of construction, with drilling and hammering an extremely audible part of daily activities, the movement struck a chord with her. Auntie's colleague and she both agreed, however, that their favorite work of the evening was Christopher Rouse’s Rapture, which had its New York premiere. It was a remarkable piece that that must be heard again to understand all the nuances. Be sure to listen to the rebroadcast of the concert on WQXR 96.3 FM on Thursday, November 13 at 9:00 p.m. in order to do so.
This was a wonderful evening of music, with appearances by TWO living American composers. What a treat indeed!
Auntie just LOVES free cultural activities and loves New York!
Next on the immediate calendar ... aside from work, work, and, oh work, Auntie has visits from Krippy, Auntie's Mum and her friend, Friends of the Library events, and Auntie's second annual Holiday Boutique --and that's just next week!! Whew! Is it vacation time yet?
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