Another Great Concert at Carnegie Hall! (June 19, 2025)

From left to right: An interview with Gabriela Ortiz; an introduction to Bernstein’s Jeremiah; Nézet-Séguin conducting the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in the New World Symphony; a discussion of the newly remodeled Bergdorf Goodman.

I was at Carnegie Hall again last night, this time to hear the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin in performances of works by Leonard Bernstein, Terence Blanchard, Antonín Dvořák and Gabriela Ortiz, who is holder of the 2024–2025 Richard and Barbara Debs Composer’s Chair at Carnegie Hall.

Here is the program:
GABRIELA ORTIZ: Antrópolis
BERNSTEIN: Symphony No. 1, "Jeremiah"
TERENCE BLANCHARD: Orchestral Suite from Fire Shut Up in My Bones (NY Premiere)
DVOŘÁK: Symphony No. 9, "From the New World"

I noticed how skillfully and delicately Nézet-Séguin conducts, as I was sitting almost directly above the stage. For example, when everything needed to be sharp and precise, the instruments were timed to match the movement of the sharpest part of his baton, and in the nostalgic melody of the second movement of the Dvořák, he held the baton in his left hand and conducted with each finger of his right hand. I love and respect the strong bond he always has with the orchestra, the other performers, and the audience, and his great leadership and enthusiasm.

I was also very impressed with Angel Blue. Her voice is warm, enveloping, flowing, and beautiful, and even when she sings very high notes it never becomes harsh. I was hearing Bernstein’s Jeremiah for the first time, and I liked it immediately. The music and subject matter were wonderful and interesting, and I felt that the melody of the singing part in the third movement was unique, whether it was a harmony or a scale.

On an entirely different front, yesterday's non-music adventure was at Bergdorf Goodman on 57th Street and Fifth Avenue. Each floor is beautifully designed, and there were so many works of art on display that I wondered if the store wasn’t a special kind of museum.

Thanks to my exploration of practically every section of this department store, I found Dolce & Gabbana's pasta, long ziti. I thought it was interesting that food would be sold in a clothing store, but it is, after all, pasta with a designer name. I am keeping it in my mind as a possible souvenir to take back to Tokyo.

If you were to bring a souvenir from New York to Tokyo, what do you think would be a good one?

People all over the world have a strong love for New York, so what kinds of New York gifts do you think would make your friends and family back home happy?

Please let me know in the Comments. Thanks so much.