Two concerts – Two icons!
Two older men, not giving in to old(er) age, and as one put it, still pursing the dream!
Charles Aznavour, 85 today actually, gave us one of these polished performances you come to expect from such long-lasting talents. This time at the Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto a few weeks ago. All in French, but for one; all classics : «Je me voyais déjà», «Non je n’ai rien oublié », « Désormais », « Trousse chemise », « Il faut savoir », « Comme ils disent », « La bohème », « Emmenez-moi », and others. He has not lost any of his showmanship, well rehearsed actually; With his daughter Katia on the stage as a chorist, very blonde – must be from his marriage with his Swedish wife. A trip to nostalgia land for me, Aznavour has been with us, with me, from the very beginning, 50 years ago, to this day. One annoying fact: his accompanying music drowning him
And then last night, Leonard Cohen! We had to go “all the way” to Kingston to finally catch up with him – he has been touring for months now. First North America and the big Canadian cities last year – Toronto, Montreal – we missed him. Then Europe and now back in North America, after “down under” doing places like Hamilton, London, Ont., Ottawa, etc., before again carrying on in Europe all summer and fall. Funny enough, he was performing at Radio City Hall in New-York last weekend when we were there, looking for something to replace the play we were supposed to see and that was cancelled!
The “hockey ring” is full! 25,000 people all devoted to the old bard from Montreal. And he did not disappoint. At 74, forced back on the stage for money (we are all aware of his financial “déboire”, having lost most of his accumulated money to an unscrupulous manager – should we thank her?!), he has acquired this almost ethereal, zen-like quality: his presence, in the words of one reviewer, “is austere and lighthearted, serene and uplifting, humble and magnificent” http://www.lauraleanalle.com/Blog/leonard-cohen-review.html .
Cohen, dapper as ever in his signature accoutrement – black suit, grey shirt buttoned up to the neck and the fedora tightly sitting on his grey head – strikes by his limber and fit figure: kneeling more than once to kick off a song, sauntering on and off the stage between numbers and generous encores, Surrounded by an extraordinary cast of musicians and vocalists, especially this older guitarist with his 12-string instrument – a bonus to quote Cynthia. He is Spanish guitar virtuoso Javier Mas from Barcelona; his introductory solo to “The Partisan” is phenomenal: the Spanish accents and rhythms of his traditional string instrument confer a whole new meaning to this song – adding a “Spanish Civil War” twist to this French Resistance tale!
And it is classic after classic; you want to sing every song along with him! “Hotel Chelsea”, “Suzanne”, “The Tower of Song”, “I’m Your Man”, “If It Be Your Will” (forever fixed in my mind by the haunting interpretation of Anthony of Anthony and the Johnsons in the 2005 film production “I’m your Man”, here in a very but no less beautiful performance by vocalists sisters Webb), “First We Take Manhattan” (“and then we take Berlin” – I love this line!), “Take this Waltz” (after a poem of Frederico Garcia Lorca) “Famous Blue Raincoat”, “Sisters of Mercy”, “Bird on a Wire”, “So Long Marianne”, “Everybody Knows”, “Closing Time”, and not to forget “Hallelujah”!
May 22, 2009
dimanche 24 mai 2009
vendredi 22 mai 2009
Feeding in NYC – May 2009
Feeding in NYC – May 2009
In town for our ritual spring visit. Started badly with cancellation of “Impressionism”, a play with Jeremy Irons and Joan Allen. The play ran out of steam and they pulled it out. It happens, especially in the current economic context. The concierge at the Park Central NY was telling us that at the “outset of the recession” as she put it, 9 theatres immediately closed down! Tried to get tickets for “God of Carnage”, “the play of the year“, if you have to believe all the publicity around it, but to no avail.
Memorable meal though in lieu at The Modern, part of the MOMA. 3 or 4 years old, very design-conscious (how could it not be, sitting by this temple of modern art!) The Dining Room sits separately from the Bar Room; much quieter and more formal (they tell you when you make reservations that you need a jacket, “tie optional”!) – The Modern, winner of Wallpaper’s “best new restaurant in the world” award in 2006, is still a very in-place currently in NYC - and different, more elaborate menu, signed by Alsatian-born Gabriel Kreuther (Alsatian chefs seem to be particularly in vogue these days – I am thinking of the other celebrated one in town, Jean Georges Vongerichten of the eponym restaurant).
The cuisine is referred to as French-American – which I guess is a way to manage to say it is French but with a twist that makes it more palatable to American sensitivities – although I suppose we are way passed the “freedom fries” resentment of the early Bush era... Had a very “Spring” menu on offer; probably best white asparagus I had in a long time (embellishing on the traditional Flemish way to serve them!): two very large stems served with morel and gyromitre mushroom (false morels) sauce; with a glass of Chablis “Montée de Tonnerre” 1er Cru 2006 from Domaine Jean Collet. Cynthia had as appetiser a dorade “flash cooked” with sea urchin, yuzu (wild mandarine) and American caviar, with a glass of Chasselas, from Domaine Paul Blanck, Alsace, 2007 vintage. For main course, she had the pheasant breast with truffled potato puree, Brussel sprout fondue and a maple reduction, with a glass of cabernet franc Chinon Cuvée Terroir 2006 from Charles Joguet. I opted for the roasted monkfish with morel mushrooms, green asparagus and “Vin Jaune “– a bit repetitive from the appetizer but nonetheless very different with a yellow sauce that was rather “relevée”; kept to the same wine.
Finished that off with a baba Grand Marnier and a lemon Napoleon, creations of pastry chef Marc Aumont. Couldn’t quite appreciate it at night, but the large windows against which we were sitting give on the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden of the MOMA – will have to go back for lunch! http://www.themodernnyc.com/.
(Went back a few days later, this time at the Bar Room table. Equally original – how does a “Slow Poached Farm Egg “In a Jar” with Maine lobster, hearts of palm and sea urchin froth” sound to you? Or “Gaeta Olive-Crusted Quail with chorizo, barley, toasted almonds and pickled pearl onions”? Still, less pricey. Noisier, not the place for a quiet conversation; smart crowd, lots of “a drink, a bite after work at the museum next door” ambiance.)
Were for breakfast the day after in better-known territory: Norma’s at Le Parker Meridien, a favourite of ours (Zagat-rated for the aficionados). As busy as ever; had my “usual”: Upstream Eggs Benedict, served with smoked salmon, and, special request, sautéed spinach on the side. Cynthia had their Oatmeal Brûlée – that may be it though for Cynthia: she liked it but too much of a good thing, as they say,...Very copious fare indeed – no need to worry about lunch! Shared with Cynthia’s friend from Singapore, Kim, who chose New-York when she moved back to the US, and her book-publisher companion, Phil. http://www.normasnyc.com/eat1.php.
Feeding in NYC is, as in all large cities, an abundance of choices. Italian was probably predominant: Max Soha on Amsterdam, near the campus of Columbia University – only known to us because it’s a favourite of Laurence and Eric; Becco in the theatre district on “Restaurant” street – only because it was conveniently located; would not choose to go back; Barolo Ristorante in Soho – nice, large courtyard; and Trattoria del’Arte, on seventh Ave, next to the hotel, the Park Central NY, conventional and plentiful. A couple of Asian fare: pad tai at the Topaz Thai and sushi somewhere nearby the hotel (was hosted – no recollection of the name of the place...)
In town for our ritual spring visit. Started badly with cancellation of “Impressionism”, a play with Jeremy Irons and Joan Allen. The play ran out of steam and they pulled it out. It happens, especially in the current economic context. The concierge at the Park Central NY was telling us that at the “outset of the recession” as she put it, 9 theatres immediately closed down! Tried to get tickets for “God of Carnage”, “the play of the year“, if you have to believe all the publicity around it, but to no avail.
Memorable meal though in lieu at The Modern, part of the MOMA. 3 or 4 years old, very design-conscious (how could it not be, sitting by this temple of modern art!) The Dining Room sits separately from the Bar Room; much quieter and more formal (they tell you when you make reservations that you need a jacket, “tie optional”!) – The Modern, winner of Wallpaper’s “best new restaurant in the world” award in 2006, is still a very in-place currently in NYC - and different, more elaborate menu, signed by Alsatian-born Gabriel Kreuther (Alsatian chefs seem to be particularly in vogue these days – I am thinking of the other celebrated one in town, Jean Georges Vongerichten of the eponym restaurant).
The cuisine is referred to as French-American – which I guess is a way to manage to say it is French but with a twist that makes it more palatable to American sensitivities – although I suppose we are way passed the “freedom fries” resentment of the early Bush era... Had a very “Spring” menu on offer; probably best white asparagus I had in a long time (embellishing on the traditional Flemish way to serve them!): two very large stems served with morel and gyromitre mushroom (false morels) sauce; with a glass of Chablis “Montée de Tonnerre” 1er Cru 2006 from Domaine Jean Collet. Cynthia had as appetiser a dorade “flash cooked” with sea urchin, yuzu (wild mandarine) and American caviar, with a glass of Chasselas, from Domaine Paul Blanck, Alsace, 2007 vintage. For main course, she had the pheasant breast with truffled potato puree, Brussel sprout fondue and a maple reduction, with a glass of cabernet franc Chinon Cuvée Terroir 2006 from Charles Joguet. I opted for the roasted monkfish with morel mushrooms, green asparagus and “Vin Jaune “– a bit repetitive from the appetizer but nonetheless very different with a yellow sauce that was rather “relevée”; kept to the same wine.
Finished that off with a baba Grand Marnier and a lemon Napoleon, creations of pastry chef Marc Aumont. Couldn’t quite appreciate it at night, but the large windows against which we were sitting give on the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden of the MOMA – will have to go back for lunch! http://www.themodernnyc.com/.
(Went back a few days later, this time at the Bar Room table. Equally original – how does a “Slow Poached Farm Egg “In a Jar” with Maine lobster, hearts of palm and sea urchin froth” sound to you? Or “Gaeta Olive-Crusted Quail with chorizo, barley, toasted almonds and pickled pearl onions”? Still, less pricey. Noisier, not the place for a quiet conversation; smart crowd, lots of “a drink, a bite after work at the museum next door” ambiance.)
Were for breakfast the day after in better-known territory: Norma’s at Le Parker Meridien, a favourite of ours (Zagat-rated for the aficionados). As busy as ever; had my “usual”: Upstream Eggs Benedict, served with smoked salmon, and, special request, sautéed spinach on the side. Cynthia had their Oatmeal Brûlée – that may be it though for Cynthia: she liked it but too much of a good thing, as they say,...Very copious fare indeed – no need to worry about lunch! Shared with Cynthia’s friend from Singapore, Kim, who chose New-York when she moved back to the US, and her book-publisher companion, Phil. http://www.normasnyc.com/eat1.php.
Feeding in NYC is, as in all large cities, an abundance of choices. Italian was probably predominant: Max Soha on Amsterdam, near the campus of Columbia University – only known to us because it’s a favourite of Laurence and Eric; Becco in the theatre district on “Restaurant” street – only because it was conveniently located; would not choose to go back; Barolo Ristorante in Soho – nice, large courtyard; and Trattoria del’Arte, on seventh Ave, next to the hotel, the Park Central NY, conventional and plentiful. A couple of Asian fare: pad tai at the Topaz Thai and sushi somewhere nearby the hotel (was hosted – no recollection of the name of the place...)
Architecture
Couldn’t miss: “Frank Lloyd Wright – From Within Outward” at the Guggenheim, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of this renowned museum. What better way to mark the occasion but by celebrating its epoch-defining and legendary architect! The exhibition showcases the enormous impact he has had on modern architecture – what I like about this so independently-minded architect is this constant preoccupation of opening the inside to the outside, I guess that’s what he calls “organic”, always attempting to marry space design with the natural surroundings, a not-so-archaic notion that is (or should remain) very contemporary.
The message here is that he built “from the inside out”, contrary to the prevailing practice of centuries, building “from the outside in” – reminded me of the Hollyhock House in LA that he designed for oil-heiress Aline Barnsdall back in 1920 or so and which I visited recently. Featured amongst others is the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, quite a landmark that he built about the same time, and that acquired such a standing amongst the Japanese for being one of the very few buildings that survived the 1921 earthquake; it was considered a good omen to get married at the Imperial Hotel! Did not survive however the demolition ball of “modern progress” as it was destroyed in 1968. Too bad!
On display, many “blueprints” and models of projects that were never built – a reminder that lots of effort and imagination go without being ever recognised and embodied into tangible testimonies! And yet with more than 500 projects that saw the light of day, out of 1100 that he pitched for, surely he must be considered as a successful architect! Remarkable as well, this man “practiced” for 72 years! http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/exhibitions/on-view-now/frank-lloyd-wright
Fast forward 50 years, 100 years, to my daughter’s Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation End of the Year Show at Columbia University that same evening! A great happening where students exhibit their work of the year, individually or as groups; fascinating what they come up with, from feat of techniques – like these large, designed sheets of pure glass Laurence and her cohorts managed to fabricate – to computer exploration of materials leading to so far unknown forms and potential architectural concepts! While this is far away of what drove innovators like Frank Lloyd Wright a hundred years ago, I suspect the latter would approve of today’s young architects’ quest that technology allows...
Laurence graduated this week from that same school with a Master Degree – 3 years of hard work, to round up her creative sense, on top of an undergraduate degree in Industrial Design at Parsons. Extremely demanding; I admire her courage and dedication, and Eric’s patient support he provided all along...
mardi 19 mai 2009
Theatre of the Absurd – NYC May 2009
Theatre of the Absurd – NYC May 2009
Skipped everything else for a taste of the Absurd: Beckett and Ionesco – could do worse when it comes to the “non-rational”!
“Waiting for Godot” in the afternoon – to reacquaint one with the existentialism comic side of life; had not seen since college, a favourite then. Well played: with Nathan Lane and Bill Irwin as “Gogo” and “Didi”; John Goodman, enormous, as Pozzo; and John Glover as unlucky “Lucky”. You know you are in America when people applaud at the entrance of recognizable comedians, which was the case of Nathan Lane and John Goodman, better known to the `”grand public” for their film or TV appearances!
A very critical look by Beckett on human travails, or at least snippets of them. Like the comfort of being driven by a consistency in life (waiting for a Godot day in and day out that never comes) that dulls the search for anything else that is worth pursuing in life. Or the inability to take action the one time the occasion presents itself (“Help” shouts Pozzo, flat on his belly, begging Gogo and Didi for an assisting hand to get back on his feet! Didi and Gogo – the odd couple, for they behave like an old couple, of the Absurd! Enjoyed; the NYT critic did as well apparently: http://theater2.nytimes.com/2009/05/01/theater/reviews/01godo.html.
The play is also in the West End with Patrick Stewart (Didi), Ian McKellen (Gogo) and Simon Callow (Pozzo). The Globe published a piece “facing-off” two observers on each side of the pond – an essay in comparative critiques! http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/theatre/the-all-stars-of-absurdism-face-off/article1137149/
Exit the King! A fascinating rendition of one of the classics of the Absurd Theatre. Geoffrey Rush sensational in his interpretation of the dying king – now a caricature of his former self, clinching to the idea that we will continue to live beyond his 400 years and that his world has not changed in spite of his kingdom being reduced to mere square kilometres. An almost acrobatic performance with his skilful pirouetting, clownishly occupying the stage, and at least once, even the orchestra. Brilliant! Well supported by the right cast, although Susan Sarandon, in her role as the no-none-sense first wife, has been accused of being too “un-committal”; I think it’s the role that calls for it – a woman past her prime and displaced in her erstwhile legitimate position as queen of the realm by younger wife number 2, and who won’t buy anymore her dying husband’s delusions. “You will be dead by the end of this play...in 1 hour and 12 minutes”, she tells him, without any “ménagement” or effort to spare him.
A reflection on one’s own mortality...that will come far sooner than another 3 to 4 centuries!
http://theater2.nytimes.com/2009/03/27/theater/reviews/27ione.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/R/Rush,%20Geoffrey
Skipped everything else for a taste of the Absurd: Beckett and Ionesco – could do worse when it comes to the “non-rational”!
“Waiting for Godot” in the afternoon – to reacquaint one with the existentialism comic side of life; had not seen since college, a favourite then. Well played: with Nathan Lane and Bill Irwin as “Gogo” and “Didi”; John Goodman, enormous, as Pozzo; and John Glover as unlucky “Lucky”. You know you are in America when people applaud at the entrance of recognizable comedians, which was the case of Nathan Lane and John Goodman, better known to the `”grand public” for their film or TV appearances!
A very critical look by Beckett on human travails, or at least snippets of them. Like the comfort of being driven by a consistency in life (waiting for a Godot day in and day out that never comes) that dulls the search for anything else that is worth pursuing in life. Or the inability to take action the one time the occasion presents itself (“Help” shouts Pozzo, flat on his belly, begging Gogo and Didi for an assisting hand to get back on his feet! Didi and Gogo – the odd couple, for they behave like an old couple, of the Absurd! Enjoyed; the NYT critic did as well apparently: http://theater2.nytimes.com/2009/05/01/theater/reviews/01godo.html.
The play is also in the West End with Patrick Stewart (Didi), Ian McKellen (Gogo) and Simon Callow (Pozzo). The Globe published a piece “facing-off” two observers on each side of the pond – an essay in comparative critiques! http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/theatre/the-all-stars-of-absurdism-face-off/article1137149/
Exit the King! A fascinating rendition of one of the classics of the Absurd Theatre. Geoffrey Rush sensational in his interpretation of the dying king – now a caricature of his former self, clinching to the idea that we will continue to live beyond his 400 years and that his world has not changed in spite of his kingdom being reduced to mere square kilometres. An almost acrobatic performance with his skilful pirouetting, clownishly occupying the stage, and at least once, even the orchestra. Brilliant! Well supported by the right cast, although Susan Sarandon, in her role as the no-none-sense first wife, has been accused of being too “un-committal”; I think it’s the role that calls for it – a woman past her prime and displaced in her erstwhile legitimate position as queen of the realm by younger wife number 2, and who won’t buy anymore her dying husband’s delusions. “You will be dead by the end of this play...in 1 hour and 12 minutes”, she tells him, without any “ménagement” or effort to spare him.
A reflection on one’s own mortality...that will come far sooner than another 3 to 4 centuries!
http://theater2.nytimes.com/2009/03/27/theater/reviews/27ione.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/R/Rush,%20Geoffrey
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