This was an exciting week for the Museum Challenge because - yes, folks - we were to sneak in not one but two inspiring art experiences in this week.
On Tuesday we got to sit in on a evening of music for the friends of the Met's musical instrument department. Michael Tsalka performed on three instruments in the Met's collection; the Graf pianoforte (ca 1838), a Kintzing clavichord from 1763, and the Cristofori pianoforte from 1720 - the oldest surviving piano. He played period appropriate pieces, so you could really imagine what it must have been like to sitting in a parlor listening to a relative playing the family instrument. Also, because he played all three instruments in succession you were able to really hear the distinct differences between them. The Graf pianoforte sounded the most like a modern piano with a large, loud sound. The Cristofori pianoforte was similar, but more muffled, quieter. It was exciting to know that this was such an old instrument that could still produce such beautiful sounds - but I'll admit its sound wasn't as exciting to me as the clavichord was. The clavichord had this eery, tinny sound that sounded all the more distinct because it was juxtaposed to the two pianos. I've included a video that I shot of what the clavichord sounds like, but the musical instruments department produced two high end videos about the Cristofori, if you're interested in learning more.
On Friday we had a chance to visit openings for Asia Week, where dealers in Asian art descend upon New York from around the world to sell their wares to museums and collectors. It was a funny experience to walk through private galleries with museum-caliber artwork and just realize how many amazing, historical pieces of art are in the public domain. There were too many galleries to see in one evening, so instead we focused on those galleries that were showcasing pieces from South Asia.
This was a pretty unique week for us. Let's hope it makes up for any museum time we might miss because of March Madness this year! :)
On Tuesday we got to sit in on a evening of music for the friends of the Met's musical instrument department. Michael Tsalka performed on three instruments in the Met's collection; the Graf pianoforte (ca 1838), a Kintzing clavichord from 1763, and the Cristofori pianoforte from 1720 - the oldest surviving piano. He played period appropriate pieces, so you could really imagine what it must have been like to sitting in a parlor listening to a relative playing the family instrument. Also, because he played all three instruments in succession you were able to really hear the distinct differences between them. The Graf pianoforte sounded the most like a modern piano with a large, loud sound. The Cristofori pianoforte was similar, but more muffled, quieter. It was exciting to know that this was such an old instrument that could still produce such beautiful sounds - but I'll admit its sound wasn't as exciting to me as the clavichord was. The clavichord had this eery, tinny sound that sounded all the more distinct because it was juxtaposed to the two pianos. I've included a video that I shot of what the clavichord sounds like, but the musical instruments department produced two high end videos about the Cristofori, if you're interested in learning more.
Playing the Cristofori
Playing the clavichord
On Friday we had a chance to visit openings for Asia Week, where dealers in Asian art descend upon New York from around the world to sell their wares to museums and collectors. It was a funny experience to walk through private galleries with museum-caliber artwork and just realize how many amazing, historical pieces of art are in the public domain. There were too many galleries to see in one evening, so instead we focused on those galleries that were showcasing pieces from South Asia.
Mugal and Persian minature paintings
Of course, we gravitated towards any representations of instruments
Through the looking glass
Loved the representations of the many heads, arms, and legs of this deity
Galleries on every floor of this converted mansion
Intricate and delicate details
Painting on silk
Samurai regalia
... with the Triforce all over it. Zelda and Link are real!
This was a pretty unique week for us. Let's hope it makes up for any museum time we might miss because of March Madness this year! :)
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