The tree, the Met

On Saturday I walked over to Rockefeller Center to see the tree. Lots of tourists, but I made my way to the railing for some pictures and a little video of the skaters. It was definitely cold enough for ice skating. I need to go see it at night for the full effect.

On Sunday I went to Daniel Barenboim's solo recital on the Metropolitan Opera stage. Here's Lincoln Center all lit up at night, with their tree in the center window.

The Met stage during intermission, from my box. Apparently there is a hydraulic lift to raise the pit up to stage level.

The many balconies:

He was great. It was an all-Liszt program, with an Italian theme (Années de Pèlerinage, Legendes, and Verdi transcriptions). He is an absolute master of voicing. It was so musical, and in the tradition of Horowitz (the last person to do a solo recital on this stage - 22 years ago), it didn't matter when he splatted an octave or big chord. He did three encores - a very romanticized Scarlatti sonata, then Chopin's "Minute" Waltz and a Nocturne.

Photo: Julieta Cervantes for The New York Times

When called back to the stage again, he shut the keyboard lid, provoking a little laugh. No wonder - he's been a busy bee, playing a different program Thursday night at Carnegie Hall and in the midst of conducting a run of Tristan and Isolde. Here's the NY Times review.