There was an unexpected musical and visual event this evening – nine acoustic bassists and one cellist rehearsing, forming a long line underneath the Washington Square Arch, which forms a natural outdoor acoustic chamber. A crowd had spontaneously gathered.
Among audiences, many higher-pitched instruments (such as the violin) typically garner the most attention. However, there are musicians who feel that instruments with a lower range, such as the bass, have a greater visceral impact yet have been largely seen as a supporting instrument. The lack of repertoire for these instruments reinforces this. All of this is what makes such an ensemble a pleasant surprise.
As it turns out, the group was the NYU Bass ensemble, which suggests that there is a whole world of music being performed that features predominantly very deep notes…
That is big big advantage living in NY, all kind of music is everywhere at anytime.
I’ve only just found your site through menggareng’s Moscow daily. I love the photos and the commentaries. New York is the city I most want to visit and your pictures and stories just make me want to go even more. I’ll be back as often as I can. Look forward to the next post.
Fascinating post as always. The kid on the far left is playing with a broken foot. Great style though.
I bet the music was beautiful!!
That’s a lot of double basses – must sound great, all those deep vibrations are picked up in the abdomen and gut and produce a really nice feeling
Wow, this is great, unexpected surprises like street conserts are always pleasure.
Yes, we always remark that you wouldn’t see this in — (fill in the blank, some town in the USA or the suburban areas) — so we feel lucky to run into these things here…
L
That’s awesome! I wish I could have been there to hear it.