Results tagged “leonardbernstein”

The New York Philharmonic Orchestra’s historic concert in North Korea concluded hours ago, marking the first performance by an American orchestra in the impoverished, totalitarian nation. The event also marked a first for much of the press, who are routinely denied access to North Korea and, once inside, usually find their movements tightly controlled. The Times has a stunning slideshow of photos snapped en route from the airport to the center of Pyongyang, something the photographer says is never permitted.

Actor/director John Turturro was among the protesters assembled at City Hall today for a rally to save the Carnegie artist studios, which could soon be taken over by Carnegie Hall expansion plans. But the big star of the day was 95-year-old Editta Sherman, the building’s longest living tenant, having resided there since 1949. She’s seen here holding a photograph she took of Leonard Bernstein, a former resident; Sherman’s studio in the building was once a destination for celebrities seeking classy photographic portraiture. Though her future there is now in jeopardy, Sherman, known to friends as the Duchess of Carnegie Hall, sounded resilient: “I’m not thinking about it, I’m not worried about it, because I’m not going anywhere.”

A look at some noteworthy television this week:

As of last night Jerry Hadley, known as a top tenor at opera houses worldwide, was on life support after shooting himself. This morning it's being reported that he isn't expected to survive. Last year the 55-year old was arrested on Riverside Drive in Manhattan for driving while intoxicated, and even though the case was dropped - he had other problems to deal with. More recently, despite his success, Hadley had been filing for bankruptcy, was concerned about his career and was being treated for depression.

A look at some noteworthy television this week:

A look at some noteworthy (and mainly regifted) programs this week:

- Lyrics from "On the Town"

U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff will hear Marc Ecko's lawsuit against the city today at 3PM. Ecko sued NYC last week because his permit for a party where graffiti artists would decorate fake subway cars (we're talking facades of subway cars) was revoked over concerns that the party would encourage graffiti. Newsday has an interesting excahnge from Friday's court hearing:

Paula van Meter, a city attorney, argued in court that painting subway replicas is not protected speech because it "necessarily simulates a criminal act."

Continue reading "Court To Decide on Graffiti Party"

I am so glad finally to have someone to ask about this! A couple of years ago, when the new 2/3 trains started running, I noticed a peculiar phenomenon: when their brakes release, the trio of squeaks that sounds forms the opening notes of "Somewhere" from "West Side Story" (you'll hear it if you sing "There's a place..."). I'm certain that I'm not imagining this, because when I was standing on a subway platform on the Upper West Side a friend made the same observation. Has anyone else noticed this? Is it an intentional homage on the part of the MTA?

In today's Metro Section, Clyde Haberman, closet Gothamist, applauds the Belmont Stakes for changing their official song from "Sidewalks of New York" (which you might know from Ken Burns' documentary on the City, if no where else) to the slightly more up to date "New York, New York". Haberman feels however, that our fair Gotham is poorly represented by the whinings of a "self-involved parvenu who wants to be 'king of the hill, top of the heap.'" He goes on to suggest several other songs that might replace it, including: "New York, New York (It's a Helluva Town)" by Leonard Bernstein, "New York State of Mind" by Billy Joel, "I Happen to Like New York" by Cole Porter, "New York" by U2, "We Run N.Y." by Redman, "Manhattan" by Rodgers and Hart, and "N.Y.C." from the musical "Annie" with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin.