carnegie hall

April 30th, 2024

This week, Emma and I went to go see a choral music performance at Carnegie Hall. I had never been before, despite the fact that it’s one of the most prestigious concert venues in the world and only a nine minute walk from my office. A couple living in Emma’s building sing in a choir and invited her to the performance. Tickets were twenty dollars, which made the decision easy—it felt like an easy way to enjoy a Monday night.

I had always assumed that performing at Carnegie Hall was an achievement reserved only for the very best musicians. I was surprised to learn that, in practice, almost anyone can book out a performance space there. The realization didn’t diminish the grandeur of the evening, although it did help explain the twenty dollar tickets.

Emma had bought the tickets and planned the evening, so I went in without any expectations of what we’d be hearing. The program turned out to be the music of Ola Gjeilo, a Norwegian composer, performed largely as choral music accompanied by an orchestra. The music had a sweeping, cinematic quality, reminiscent of a fantasy epic—something out of The Lord of the Rings or The Elder Scrolls, two of my favorite pieces of media.

I sometimes forget how much world-class art and culture sits within my reach, just by virtue of living in New York City. On the subway ride home, it struck me that a casual weekday evening had taken us to one of the most reputable music venues in the world. It’s easy for me to get absorbed in routines—work, friendships, staying active, sleeping well. The performance felt like a gentle reminder to make sure to step outside that rhythm once in a while.