The more I think about it, the more it sinks in what just happened in New York.
That project took 4 years to put together, from the Melbourne Composers League putting out the call for scores, to the performance. It's entirely unbelievable to me that a relatively little known quartet from Melbourne can play challenging new Australian and Korean compositions with a soloist from the UK in one of the great institutions of classsical performace. I think that's bizaar. All the effort from so many people to do one concert. It's amazing the commitment these people have to new music. We need more of this kind of dedication in the world.

Weill Recital Centre Carnegie Hall 28^th September2008.

Aaron Barnen, Andrea Keeble, Ceridwen Davies and CaerwenMartin with ....Barrie....Webb

Presented by Anna Monea and The ....Melbourne.... Composers League

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Right from the start, the Silo String Quartet tour to ....New York.... was in acelebratory mood. The day we left was Andrea’s birthday, 24^thSeptember, so ....Champagnes....all round at the airport at 7:30am. Naturally we had to celebrate our arrival,still Andrea’s birthday, so it was drinks over an Indian dinner that night withour amazing tour coordinator Anna Monea, before collapsing at our bohemian apartmentin the ..Upper West Side...

Thursday saw the beginning of our rehearsals with BarrieWebb, the well traveled trombonist from the ....UK..... We rehearsed in a communalspace in the basement of a block of apartments so there were a couple of visitsfrom residents wondering what on earth was going on.

Mandatory drinks to celebrate meeting up with ....Barrie.... were had overdinner at a popular Hummus restaurant on Broadway. Afterwards, Andrea went tostay with her friend in a “to-die-for” apartment in Soho while Ceridwen, Aaronand Caerwen sampled the Margarita’s at a tavern in St Marks place in the ....East.. ..Village.....

Friday and Saturday were spent rehearsing at a sound studioon ....30^th St....which was great until the band next door started playing. Imagine contemporaryGregorian Chant set to heavy a Funk beat and that’s about what we were playing.Can you picture the Silo remix album?

Friday afternoon we had a couple of hours of rehearsal inthe Weill Recital Centre at Carnegie Hall. We were all very excited to be inthere but dismayed that we couldn’t take any photos inside the hall underthreat of prosecution. It’s a stunning venue with perfect listening acousticsand a very welcoming atmosphere. It’s kind of like a glam’ed up Melba Hall withthree American sized chandeliers and a Stars and Stripes Flag. It was reallyincredible to be there. I think we all had bruises from pinchingourselves. 

Evenings saw a trip to ..Times Square..and a Fantastic Chilean restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen which, of course, includedPisco Sours and the perfect Salsa. Saturday night was spent wandering ....China.. ..Town....and trying to sleep before the big day.

Sunday, the day of the concert, was relaxed. Aaron was athis favourite practicespot in Central Park while Ceridwen went for her regular run with the rest of ....New York....’s Up-Towners.Caerwen spoiled herself with a Hundred Dollar Hair Do that actually was worththe unexpected expense.

The concert was a fantastic life experience. The program was ”Below the Star Stretched Sky”, newAustralian and ....Korea....compositions, including one World Premier and all American Premiers.  A few of the composers from ..Australia.. and ....Korea.... were there so the audiencewas full of friendly faces excited to hear these works in such a hall. Thestand out performance of the night was Aaron performing the Solo Violin work byJoseph Giovinazzo. In two words, World Class!     

Drinks all ‘round after the concert that night lasted untilMonday so the planed visit to MOMA and the Guggenheim was left for a returntrip at a later date. Andrea stayed on for a couple of days while Aaron,Ceridwen and Caerwen set off for home Monday night. Caerwen’s birthday wasspent going over the date line on the plane so sparkling wine at midnight was agood finish to a whirlwind trip.  It wasAmazing to be able to do our International Debut in Carnegie Hall. Thanks toAnna Monea and all the people who contributed to our trip there!

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p.s. Qantas reliably lost the cello in LA on the way homebut returned the Rainer Beilharz Beauty in one piece so all was well aftercareful adjustments from Alex Grant. Thank You!