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Thursday, March 8, 2012

Duet, on the 59th Street Platform

59th Street, nyc
Photo by myself at the 59th Street subway station.

A violinist and a cellist performed together on the Columbus Circle subway platform, the other night.

Playing entirely by ear (the sheet music in front of the cellist was just for show), this pair performed the Beethoven Violin Concerto and various movements of Vivaldi's Four Seasons. The violinist had dreadlocks and the cellist had his hair up in a ponytail.

Most people haven't heard classical music played live. These photos were taken during a lull, but a few minutes later, a good-sized crowd stood around, utterly entranced.

59th Street, nyc

Related posts: On a Musical Interlude and the NYT Hawk Cam, On Street Music and the Polar Bear Swim, and Serenade, in Tompkins Square Park.

7 comments:

Olivier said...

la première photo est magnifique, j'adore l'expression et le mouvement du violoniste

Julie said...

I love classical music performed on the street like this. Although on a train platform must be a challenge to hear what you are playing and whether you and your partner are up to the same squiggle, even if it is all in their head.

s.c said...

I have the same thoughts as Julie but nice that they do it there.

biebkriebels said...

I think classical music in a subway sounds so much better than the noise you usually hear.

Anonymous said...

I bet it sounded great too.

Leif Hagen said...

Glad to see that they collected some $$$ in their instrument case! Our two daughters are taking Suzuki violin lessons and I'm the "Suzuki Dad" who takes them to lessons and practices with them! Maybe someday they'll play in the Paris or NYC metro during summer break??

Banjo52 said...

I've heard that some classical street music is quite good. In fact, there was a YouTube video of some major violinist donating his time and talent and just wowing people in a subway somewhere. I've only stumbled onto pretty bad guitar pickin'.