NY Philharmonic Was A Midsummer Night's Dream

The New York Philharmonic performed their annual concert in Cunningham Park on July 10. Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer, this was one of a weeklong series of Philharmonic field trips.

The program consisted of three selections, Mozart's Divertimento in D major, Bach's Concerto for Two Violins, and Elgar's Variations on an Original Theme, Enigma. For the first time, the audience was able to text message their choice of encore from either Tchaikovsky's "Russian Dance" from "The Nutcracker" or an orchestral arrangement of Gershwin's "Summertime" from "Porgy and Bess", Tchaikovsky won.

Councilmember David Weprin and Marc Haken, president of Friends of Cunningham Park opened the park's free event. Xian Zhang, the Philharmonic's Arturo Toscanini Chair and associate conductor under Lorin Maazel, held the baton. Sheryl Staples, the Elizabeth G. Beinecke Chair and Michelle Kim, the William Petshek Family Chair were the featured violinists during the second piece.

While waiting for the concert to begin some people brought kites, frisbees, and soccer balls. Others had picnic dinners with candles and lanterns. One group even brought their own tapas and tapas table.

The evening ended with a dazzling display of fireworks provided by Bay Fireworks- a perfect way to end a perfect night. - David Grdon