Carnegie Hall, New York City

4 more images

“It is probable that this hall will intertwine itself with the history of our country.”
— Andrew Carnegie in 1890, when he laid the cornerstone of Carnegie Hall

Andrew Carnegie lived to see his words come true: Within 25 years, Carnegie Hall became one of the world’s most important performance arts stages—not only for great music, but also for theater, dance, and the exchange of ideas.

Construction began in 1890. One year later a five-day celebration marked the opening of Carnegie Hall. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky took part in the opening festival. Total cost of the land and construction amounted to $1,000,000.00. This was an excellent use of money by Mr. Carnegie, a Scottish immigrant. He had earned his fortune from his Pittsburgh steel business.

As the old jokes goes, ‘How do you get to Carnegie Hall?’ And the answer is, ‘Practice. Practice. Practice.’

I was able to attend a tour of Carnegie Hall. Fabulous!! The entire tour was absolutely brilliant. Not only seeing the Hall, but the tour guides give a history of the establishment. You could almost hear Judy Garland belting out beautiful songs. I would recommend this to anyone who loves music and cultural sites. I can't give enough praises!

Carnegie Hall is New York City's, and America's, most renowned center for music performances of all genres: classical symphony orchestras, jazz, choir and chorale, the top in pop and much more.
Carnegie Hall is also home to the Rose Museum, a collection of memorabilia focused on the music house's history

2 more images

Just around the corner from Carnegie Hall is Steinway Hall. It is the world's largest single collection of new and pre-used Steinway pianos of all models, sizes and colours. I was to attend Mitsuko Uchida's recital at Carnegie Hall in the evening when I decided to drop by Steinway Hall. A black Steinway D dominated the main entrance. Walking through the main corridor, there were piano salons on either side. Each salon is lavishly furnished with mahogany wooden panels.
Over the next hour, I played on no less than 5 Steinway grand pianos, each with a different temperament and character.

It is said that if you can make it in New York, then you can make it anywhere. For a musician, the chance to perform here would be a great honor. Perhaps this is the most prestigious concert hall in all of America. One thing is for certain. If you go there to watch a performance, it will involve some very talented musicians.

Carnegie Hall is New York City's (and America's) most renowned centre for many genres of music performance.

It opened over 100 years ago, and on opening night, Tchaikovsky conducted.

Carnegie Hall has held performances by such legends as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa and Frank Sinatra.

It is another of those famous places that you hear mentioned that I was keen to see.....wish I had been around to see Frank Sinatra here!!

For over a century, it has been the dream and crowning achievement of every classical musician to perform at Carnegie Hall. It was New York's first great concert hall, Tchaikovsky was guest conductor on its opening night in 1891 and for many years it was home to the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. In the 1950s, a campaign led by violinist Isaac Stern saved the building from redevelopment as offices. It has been designated an international landmark in 1964. In 1999, a museum opened on the first level; tours of the hall are also available to visitors.

Before the erection of its adjoining office tower in 1990, Carnegie Hall was not very imposing on the outside, a caramel-colored brick and terra-cotta building in an Italian Renaissance-revival style that had been substantially altered in the first decade of its existence and is marred by fire escapes on its Seventh Avenue facade. While its arches and belt courses and cornices were pleasant, the building's exterior was more cozy than cosmopolitan, more mundane than monumental. Its 2,760-seat, multi-balconied, main concert hall, however, is very handsome in its dimensions and most notably in its acoustics.

Subway (first being closest) :
N,R to 57th St / 7th Avenue
or B,Q to 57th St / Avenue of the Americas
or A,C,D,1 to 59th St / Columbus Circle

nearby landmarks / sites of interest :

Carnegie Hall Tower (adjacent building)
The Russian Tearoom (around the corner)
Alwyn Court Apartments (1block north)
Central Park (2 blocks north)
Broadway (1 block west)
Columbus Circle (2 blocks northwest)

tip : see my Off The Beaten Path-entry "Simplicity of form, richness of patterning" for Carnegie Hall Tower, as well.

Take the guided tour that ends next to the stage. So informative and lots of fun. If it's your birthday or nearly your birthday- like it was for me, the whole group sings "Happy Birthday" next to the stage so you can experience the amazing acoustics. Tour is long enough to get the history but not too long to wear you out for the rest of the day.

Both of these are located close to each other. I just loved the exterior of the building. I didn't go to a concert or ballet this time around, but I've only heard good things of both.

Here is a picture of one of the muesums in NY. We didn't have time to visit it so I don't know to much about it. It's an option for those who go visit NY.