Musical New York: An Informal Guide to Its History & Legends and a Walking Tour of Its Sites & Landmarks [Paperback]

Carol J. Binkowski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1999

From the thrilling echo of a Metropolitan Opera singer's high note to the insistent thump of the bass at a rock concert in Madison Square Garden, New York City offers a range of musical experiences that is unparalleled anywhere else in the world. Musical New York takes you deep inside the wealth of musical culture the city offers. Part One traces the history of music in the city, from colonial times to the present.

Part Two presents a walking tour of musical sites, organized by neighborhood and including the five boroughs, that encompasses institutions, monuments, concert venues, special collections, and much more. From the lover of music to the casual tourist to the aficionado of cultural history, Musical New York is sure to enhance every reader's experience of one of the greatest musical cities in the world.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Binkowski, an organist, LJ reviewer, and the coauthor of I Hear America Singing (Crown, 1989), provides a treasure trove for music lovers. Her subtitle says it all, and illustrations add depth to the many possible tours this book could inspire. The first section presents an informative history of musical activity in New York from Colonial times to the present, followed by a travelog organized by borough to aid those wishing to visit the various sites or monuments mentioned. Each entry includes a full explanation of the site as well as a phone number. Most of the sites could be compiled from the New York phone directory, but having the information neatly gathered and detailed in pleasant prose makes this a wonderful and inexpensive title for libraries serving music lovers, students, travelers, or anyone interested in the history of music in the Big Apple.?Scott Johnson, Whittemore Park Middle Sch., Conway, SC
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

CAROL J. BINKOWSKI is a pianist and organist. She is the staff organist at the Church Center for the United Nations in New York and is the co-author of I Hear America Singing.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Camino Books; First Edition/First Printing edition (June 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940159473
• ISBN-13: 978-0940159471
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,327,613 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive and highlights New York in a wonderful way, April 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Musical New York: An Informal Guide to Its History & Legends and a Walking Tour of Its Sites & Landmarks (Paperback)

The author brings to life so many sights in New York in such detail. She cross-references sights so you can see how they relate to each other. I did not know that some of these locations existed. This book is useful for the tourist or for anyone that wants to learn about musical New York. The book is divided in such a way that you can pick an area and explore to your delight. She also includes historical facts that are not necessarily known by most people. Highly recommend book plus it is easy to put in your briefcase or pocketbook.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good guidebook to out-of-the-way places, June 15, 2003

By 

klavierspiel "klavierspiel" (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Musical New York: An Informal Guide to Its History & Legends and a Walking Tour of Its Sites & Landmarks (Paperback)

Carol Binkowski has put together a comprehensive and enjoyable guidebook. Her exhaustive list of places in New York that have significance in the city's musical history makes absorbing reading, even if one has no intention of actually visiting all of these places. The opening chapters on New York's musical history are necessarily somewhat superficial, but in-depth research is not the point here. This volume is thus a perfect reference for the music lover who wants to do a walking tour of significant places and locations in the Big Apple.