A long day of practicing--something I'm getting accustomed to again--led me to look for a way to relax and have some fun. Although most of my friends were out of town, I was resolved to find something somewhere where I might meet people, contribute to society, learn something, or anything besides peruse the internet for something that might capture my attention briefly. Checking my facebook, I saw an invitation to a Nouveau Classical Project concert being put on by my friend-of-a-friend Sugar and her boyfriend Trevor--the assistant to the composer Philip Glass (I know... I just name dropped a little). The description said something about a rooftop bar as the location and there was little else needed to persuade me. I made my way downtown and to the bar--turning out to be something more like a really artsy guy's home/shed/art gallery--and was amazed by the spectacular view:
The program was the following:
Cliffs by Aphex Twin (arranged by Trevor Gureckis)
Saint Arc by Daniel Wohl
Bed from Einstein on the Beach by Philip Glass
Changing Opinion by Philip Glass
Ananta by Ryan Manchester
Suspended Harmonies by Tevor Gureckis
The works were, as a whole, a nice set of modern, avant-garde compositions performed by soloists or chamber ensembles. Beyond highlighting the current art of these composers, the performers wore clothing and headwear designed by young fashion-minds. Sitting outside the window to the stage/living room on the rooftop, I found myself strangely fascinated by the quiet sonorities and musical landscapes these musicians--with the addition of some interesting electro-acoustics as well--created. Reassuring wafts of marijuana smoke rising from other listeners in several directions around me helped put into perspective the impact and experiential quality of the music. I decided, after giving it some thought, that this music is not to be thought through or comprehended; it doesn't exploit the quirks and qualities of a tonal system; it isn't an aural manifestation of mathematics; it isn't even something anyone there should go home humming on the train. This music is made to give the listeners' ears something to taste for the moment it brushes their surfaces. It is known in the moment and then forgotten like a beautiful fragrance or soothing texture. We so easily dismiss the logic in the sensation of taste, touch, or smell, and I have come to see that perhaps this music, and other music like it, requires the same sort of existential abandon.
Atop this certain rooftop, with the Empire State Building bearing down on me, it was not difficult to simply sit in my plastic lawn chair, quiet my mind, and enjoy the gentle vibrations my eager ears were catching.
At least until I needed to go to the bathroom near the end of the concert... some sensations trump all others.
..........
As for today, I spent 6 strong hours at my Baldwin and at a sandwich from the local Carrot Top Deli--quickly becoming my favorite lunching ground with its enormous $5 pastrami sandwich. I think today was my first day in New York City that did not include a train ride, an rare occasion that likely won't be happening again soon... I've got places to be in the upcoming days.
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