As I write this, just after midnight on Tuesday night, I am unwinding from tonight's Carnegie Hall concert -- the first in my "Keyboard Virtuosos" subscription -- Andras Schiff with an elegant all-Schumann program. It's just what the doctor ordered in the thick of this hectic work week. In keeping with the Schumann-esque mood, afterwards we had dinner at Seasonal, a terrific German/Austrian restaurant just around the block from the concert hall.
On the reading front, I am still plodding through Proust (I wish I could say "pirouetting," or "prancing," but alas . . . ) and am overdue for a report thereon. Next week, I promise. Meanwhile, I am reading Too Big To Fail: The Inside Story of How Wall Street and Washington Fought to Save the Financial System -- and Themselves by Andrew Ross Sorkin. I am quite possibly the last person among my friends to read this book, but although I'm late to the party, it lives up to its billing as the definitive account of the 2008 financial meltdown. The best "blurb" about this book definitely comes from Tom Wolfe, who described it as " . . . a fascinating, scene-by-scene saga of the eyeless trying to march the clueless through Great Depression II."
Lucky you to hear such a great program! I've never been lucky enough to see Mr. Schiff in concert, but he must have a serious pair of hands to undertake such difficult music. For me, playing Schumann has always resulted in near bouts of tendonitis. As for the Sorkin book, I am curious: are you finding the book is an absorbing read? Part of me wants to read it to be better informed, but I am not sure that I have the patience for it right now as there is such limited time for pleasure reading.
Jacquie
Posted by: Jacqueline | October 27, 2010 at 03:16 PM
Hi Jacquie:
I DO feel fortunate-- it was a real tour de force! (And after all that, he tossed off two encores -- Schumann's Papillon and then another piece I didn't recognize.) Regarding Too Big To Fail, I am finding it a VERY compelling read. Not at all the rather dry financial tome I was expecting. Sorkin is a great storyteller.
Posted by: Karen | October 27, 2010 at 07:54 PM
My goodness, I've not heard of, nor heard Andras Schiff for years ... husband and I heard him play many years ago at Exeter University, Devon, UK. He was wonderful.
Posted by: Margaret Powling | October 28, 2010 at 11:18 AM
Hi Margaret: I am very fortunate indeed -- he plays in New York several times a year, and I usually manage to see him perform at one venue or another. Treat yourself and get one of his recent recordings -- I think he's particularly good with Bach.
Posted by: Karen | October 28, 2010 at 12:05 PM
I'm so glad you mentioned Seasonal since I'd never heard of it before.
Ever since reading Clive James' Cultural Amnesia last summer, I've been obsessed with anything that evokes pre-war (WWI or WWII) Austria & Germany (literature, food, art, music). The Neue Gallerie (both the art & their wonderful cafes) - & now Seasonal - are on the "must visit" list for when I'm in NY.
(May have to stick to the lunch or dessert menu, though - not so cheap, is it?)
Posted by: Odette | October 28, 2010 at 08:12 PM
Hi Odette! Actually, Cafe Sabarsky (the cafe at the Neue Gallerie) is quite reasonably priced and, just like in a Viennese coffee house, you can order just a wonderful pastry and coffee and linger with a newspaper. It can be uncomfortably crowded during museum hours, but it's open into the evenings (i.e., after the gallery closes) and is much less busy then. Seasonal IS more expensive, but I think very good value for money. The food is authentic & superb, the wine list is extensive, and the location is very convenient to Carnegie Hall, if that figures into your itinerary at all. I must say, however, that the design of the restaurant is quite sleek and modern, so will definitely not invoke the "feel" of fin-de-siecle Vienna. I do hope you get to visit soon!
Posted by: Karen | October 28, 2010 at 10:26 PM
Thanks, Karen! I'm looking forward to all of it. I'm actually moving back home to NY after almost 2 decades away & collecting links for everything I want to do. It's so much easier to enjoy being a tourist in your hometown when you've lived elsewhere.
I had noticed from the website photos that Seasonal doesn't look remotely retro. Not surprised - it's probably not that easy to find old Europe atmosphere in 21st C NY.
Posted by: Odette | October 31, 2010 at 12:01 AM
Hello Odette: How exciting! Enjoy the re-discovery....
Posted by: Karen | October 31, 2010 at 11:20 PM