DESCRIPTION:
- composed and performed by Anna Ferro (solo piano)
I. St Patrick's 00:00 II.Yellow cabs 03:42 III. Night-time 06:55 IV.Grand Central 10:48

Movement I. "St Patrick's" : Glimpse an archive image of the Cathedral of St Patrick before the skyscrapers were constructed and architectural height and grandeur dominate. Now, this ornate, neo-Gothic building located on the east side of Fifth Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets in midtown Manhattan, directly across the street from the Rockefeller Center, sits as a low rise, at once in juxtaposition with the concrete, metal and glass all around it but also in harmony with the city's idiom and character of contrast and statement.

Movement II. "Yellow cabs" : Everywhere! "Medallion" taxis painted canary yellow, dashing along on the main streets, with fares or not, Nissans and Toyotas sweeping alongside Fords as fuel-efficiency and carbon footprint issues predicate.

Movement III. "Night-time" : Many cities have a special atmosphere after dark and NYC is no exception and although Times Square has not always run the best reputation, the vast amount of animated neon signs and lights have long made it one of Manhattan's iconic urban images and a place to see.

Movement IV. Grand Central : ... "Take New York's restless energy and inventiveness. Add its distinctive brand of brassy elegance, its delight in impressing visitors, and its flair for showmanship. STIR. You've got GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL." (NY Transit Museum ) The city's iconic train station turned 100 last year. It is fascinating to read about its history on the NY Transit Museum's centennial celebration website which holds a wealth of engrossing facts and commentary as well as some amazing archive photos, and sets the scene on what became instantly when it opened and of course remains today one of the city's most famous landmarks.

Copyright and all rights reserved to Anna Ferro, December 2013
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