30th Anniversary Celebration

Preparing and performing NYFOS concerts is an all-consuming endeavor. Michael Barrett, my co-leader, can attest to this. So can Charles McKay and Claire Molloy, who have masterminded the administration for some years now with tireless grace. We are in a daily (and...
Jorge Anckerman: Flor de Yumurí

Jorge Anckerman: Flor de Yumurí

Hello again, NYFOS Song of the Weekers!  The last time I took over this blog for a week, parsimony was not an aspiration that guided my writing.  This time I will keep it brief, and I promise to try to avoid words like “parsimony.” I will ask you to indulge me in...
Dmitri Shostakovich:  We Were Together

Dmitri Shostakovich: We Were Together

“Hello. It’s me… I was wondering if after all these [days you’d like to read more from me]…” (I hope you’re laughing… if not, I had a good laugh to myself. I wrote, “Hello. It’s me..” and obviously Adele’s song started playing in my head. One of my friends,...
Richard Strauss:  Beim Schlafengehen

Richard Strauss: Beim Schlafengehen

Guten Tag. I admire Richard Strauss’ music. His harmonic language, texture, the surprising subito piano dynamics and frequent lack of downbeats creates a soaring, most round eternal sound. His ability to write for the voice was extraordinary. Strauss also loved words....