Carnegie Hall: The Gold Standard

By Peter Hall
 

It was called "The Gilded Age." It was a time of great industrial growth in America (and great wealth, too) as evidenced by super-rich industrialists and philanthropists such as Rockefeller, Morgan, Stanford, Mellon, Vanderbilt and Andrew Carnegie - the steel magnate, who happened to meet New York City conductor Walter Damrosch onboard a ship. The leisurely pace of life at sea gave the younger musician time to interest his wealthy travel companions in the idea of a new concert hall in New York City, to be named, of course, Carnegie Hall.

Violin Portals

By Peter Hall, Classical 94.5 WNED program host

Young violinist Tim Fain, born in Santa Monica, is perhaps best known to the world for his performances in the movie “Black Swan” and his work with American composer Philip Glass. But, there are so many facets to Tim Fain you really can’t sum up exactly who he is. I first encountered Tim Fain on the UB Amherst campus in 2010. Both my wife and I were very impressed with this young man of contrasts. He's tall, very handsome, West Coast casual, but Buffalo-style down to earth.  He's a very serious musician but has so much fun playing the violin you wonder where he gets the energy. He's done a recital tour with modernist composer Philip Glass, but reveres the old violin he has. It’s a very rare instrument made by Franceso Gobetti in Venice in 1717, called the "Moller," on extended loan from Clement and Karen Arrison through the generous efforts of the Stradivari Society of Chicago. He's like a big kid with really cool toy. 

Sparklers

By Misty Harris

I can remember during my kindergarten and pre-middle school years we would all dress in our red, white and blues (notes were sent home to do so) and walk across the street to the cemetery with our mini flags in hand and pay tribute to all those who fought for our freedom (this ritual would be repeated for Veterans Day as well). Flags could be seen for miles all strewn across the cemetery. Of course, being as young as I was, I had no idea what any of this meant. Afterwards, we would retreat to the auditorium where an assembly took place. We sang America: “Our Country Tis of Thee”,  “This Land is Your Land” and the National Anthem.  There were short skits about The Declaration of Independence, Betsy Ross and more. But of course as a kid this meant one thing… maybe two… a day off and fireworks! OK maybe three things… some major barbecue time! I couldn’t wait to eat until I couldn’t move an inch. I also couldn't wait to see the sky light up. Back then, everyone used to migrate to Delaware Park (in the heart of the city) to see the big show.