Ives on the barge

The 2007 NEA Institute for classical and opera critics is now over.  Now that I have time to blog again, where do I begin as I reflect?  I'm not so sure because these past 11 days have changed me in many ways (oooh ahhh).  So, arbitrarily, I'll start backwards with our farewell night of festivities that featured our own private recital from pianist/blogger Jeremy Denk. We shuttled down to BargeMusik in Brooklyn, a tiny vessle that rocks back and forth on the waves of the East River with an interior that smells of old rags.  Yeah we all had bouts of queasiness, but the lil' boat is so unlike any other performance space that we can forget about it. Thanks to SMB's request, Jeremy performed Charles Ives' Concord Sonata with astonishing virtuosity and delicacy. My recordings have never made me care about this music and it wasn't until hearing it live that makes me now want more of it.  It didn't hurt either that Denk is very visual when he plays, and this fact brought many of us in even closer.  The end of the "Emerson" movement is still quietly ringing in my ears. 

Jeremy then joined us for dinner in Brooklyn Heights. After several hours, I noticed a recurring reference popping up in his speech.  So if anyone wants the key to his busy mind, I have two words for you:  Lost Illusions.  ....Much more to come on the NEA.