Inferma lrsquo;intraducibile locomozione di fruscii al grado.
#994799 in eBooks 2005-10-01 2014-03-15File Name: B00J9JQP3Y
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Carnegie Hall: The Birth and First Days of a Palace of MusicBy A Reader in WashingtonFollowing up her excellent biography of ragtime composer Joseph F. Lamb; Carol Binkowski now tells us the story of Carnegie Hall; perhaps the most revered concert hall in America. Its quite a tale.The story begins in 1887; when Andrew Carnegie and his new wife; Louisa; embarked on their honeymoon trip; a voyage to Europe. By chance; a fellow passenger on the steamship Fulda was the 25 year old conductor Walter Damrosch. He and Carnegie became well acquainted; and discussed the need for an outstanding concert hall in New York City. After both men had returned to the United States; they continued their discussions; and wish became transformed into reality.Binkowski then describes the building of what Carnegie so aptly referred to as "no ordinary structure"; followed by a detailed recollection of the first four days of performances. The writing is lively; bringing the people and the events of those late-Victorian days into clear focus. What; in many cases; were no more than names to this reader; became fully-fleshed human beings; highly skilled in their fields; and - amazingly; I thought - despite the presence of well-earned and understandable egos; almost universal willingness to enthusiastically and unselfishly dedicate their full energies to the project at hand.Most interest and entertaining to me was the presence of the Russian composer Tchaikovsky; brought to New York by Damrosch to participate musically in the opening festival and performances. Tchaikovsky was well-known for his labile emotions; and though he clearly appreciated and enjoyed his participation; it came at high cost to his nervous system. After a rehearsal; he remarked that "the session...caused a terrible effect on my nerves."The text is beautifully complemented by reproduced period illustrations of the participants; the structure; and musical programs from performances.I heartily recommend this book to anyone interested in classical music; c. 1900 New York history; or the history of philanthropy in America. I will no longer be able to go to a concert at Carnegie Hall without seeing vivid images of dignified men in tuxedos and top hats; and women in lovely full-length gowns; and I suspect the music itself might even have a deeper; richer tone to my ears; thanks to this fine book.
