A Perfect Eve: New York Philharmonic in Prospect Park 2008

A rainy day turned into a glorious night, just in time for music lovers to gather in Prospect Park for the annual free New York Philharmonic concert.
As blankets were spread, wine bottles opened, friends greeted and programs studied, the orchestra was introduced. Mercifully, Borough Prez Marty Markowitz was unable to attend last night's concert, thereby sparing us his usual peppy Brooklyn speech, which I have listened to one too many times in the last few years.

The music was glorious. On the program?

* J.S. Bach's Concerto for two violins in D minor BWV 1043
*Ludwig Van Beethoven's Symphony No.4 in B-flat major, Opus 60
and
*Jean Sibelius's Finlandia, Opus 26, No. 7

Violinists Sheryl Staples and Michelle Kim were superb and the highlight of the evening as far as I am concerned.

Before the encore, the conductor Alan Gilbert, a native New Yorker, told the appreciative audience that during his youth, he had attended free concerts in the city parks and that he was proud and excited to now be conducting them.

And just as in years past,as the last notes drifted though the night air, the sky lit up brightly. The fireworks were spectacular. A fitting ending for a great evening.




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