A live performance by renowned pianist Richard Dowling at the Museum of the City of New York on Monday evening, October 4, at 6:30 p.m., will celebrate the optimistic spirit and energy of a period of great industrial and social change in America. The evening recital, titled Music of Old New York, will feature Dowling's interpretation of songs published between 1894 and 1921-the era considered the golden nascent years of American music. The Museum is simultaneously making available a newly recorded CD (which can be purchased at the evening recital), co-produced by the Museum of the City of New York and Museum Music, Ltd. Music of Old New York features 24 songs-ten of which have never before been recorded-that drew inspiration from New York City. All of the songs featured in the recital and on the CD are inspired by New York City, and many were written by well-known composers such as Scott Joplin, Tom Turpin, and the legendary George M. Cohan.
Hailed by The New York Times as an "especially impressive fine pianist,"
Richard Dowling appears regularly across the country in solo recitals at chamber music, ragtime, and jazz festivals and as a guest soloist in concerto performances with orchestras.
Reservations are required and tickets can be purchased by calling 917-492-3395, or by visiting
www.mcny.org.
About the CD: Music of Old New York
An inspiring, entertaining, and charming gift and/or souvenir, Music of Old New York is exquisitely packaged with images from the Museum's renowned historic collections. The back cover features a detail of Rainy Afternoon, Union Square by renowned American artist Childe Hassam, ca. 1890. The front cover features a black and white photograph, Times Square at Night (1921) by Brown Brothers. And the liner notes feature a reproduction of a painting evocative of New York's musical theater world, Opening Night (1926) by Howard A. Thain.
The CD is available at the Museum of the City of New York Shop, for $17.95; Museum members can purchase the CD for $16.95 plus tax. The CD can also be purchased by visiting the Shop on the Museum's website, or via e-mail at Shop@mcny.org .
Never-before-recorded songs on the CD include Forty-Second Street Strut (A. Van Tilzer/N. Fleeson, 1922); That Broadway Glide (B.Grant/A.S. Brown, 1912); That Subway Rag (D. Heath/
J.B. Carson, 1907) Manhattan Rag (F. Brownold, 1901); Brighton Beach Rag (W. Becker/J. Havez, 1912); Ziegfeld Follies Rag (D. Stamper/G. Buck, 1917); New York Rag (G. Durgan, 1909); Manhattan Rag (E. Kendall, 1906); The Subway Glide (T. Norman/A. Gillespie, 1912); and New York and Coney Island Cycle March Two Step (E.T. Paul, 1896).
Other popular favorites on the CD include the legendary Give My Regards to Broadway (G.
M. Cohan, 1904) and Take Me Out to the Ball Game (A. Von Tilzer/J. Norworth, 1908).
Richard Dowling has received performance reviews that praise him as "a musician with something to say, the skill to say it and the magnetic power to make you listen," among other accolades. He is also a versatile recording artist with more than a dozen CD's of classical, chamber, ragtime, jazz and popular music. Mr. Dowling holds masters and doctoral degrees in music from Yale and the University of Texas and performance diplomas from conservatories in France. He is a Steinway Artists and is represented by Parker Artists.
The Museum of the City of New York connects the past, present, and future of New York City and celebrates its heritage of diversity, opportunity, and perpetual transformation. The Museum's exhibitions and public programs have drawn great critical acclaim from the press and the public alike.
