Art in a Tunnel? Blurb 2
Anyone that rides New York’s subway has for certain seen the magnificent art forms of the transit system. They are located in subway stations, on platforms, and even inside trains at times. Like most New Yorkers, I simply pass them without giving a second’s thought. However, one afternoon, something struck me. A young musician was playing a cello, at the 51st Lexington Ave. station. What caught my attention was the fact that it was so majestic, yet soothing at the same time. I had to explore why this was so. The musician had an amplifier, but what really made the difference was the location of where he was playing. The arch-like shape of the tunnel reflected sound perfectly right back to me; making the notes sound more lively than ever before. This peace of mind would be short lived because of the oncoming trains, but once they left, harmony was reestablished. This short period brings us, New Yorkers, a moment of tranquility from our speedy life.
October 18th, 2007 at 9:45 am
Someone told me recently that she knows a jazz musician who goes into the subway to play just because of the acoustics, and he doesn’t ask people for money, though sometimes people give him money. The musician goes there because the acoustics in his apartment are not good but the subwy acoustics are amazing. I wonder how many subway musicians feel the same way – so the platform is a concert hall ($2 admission!).
October 18th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
Haha I never thought about the good acoustics in a subway station. I’d say NYC has its share of good performers and bad performers. I know for a fact that there are some “musicians” that pretend to play an instrument when in fact the music’s playing from a cd player or a preset recording on the keyboard.
October 19th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
Hmm that’s interesting. I never thought the subway would be such a ideal place to perform. It does give a nice, relaxing moment to the public. Except if the musician is really bad, which fortunately in your case he wasn’t.