My name is Marc Friedlander, and I am a classical guitarist in New York City. Although I do not regularly appear on the concert stage, I give frequent public recitals - on the sidewalks of NY. My favorite spots are in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and in and around Central Park.
MY STORY
Like many players, I was frustrated with the lack of opportunity to perform. I had studied for years and years, and finally arrived at concert level, but without an outlet for performance, it started to seem like a waste. I could get the occasional restaurant gig, but lots of times nobody really listens in a restaurant - it didn't seem like performance, it seemed like I was supplying wallpaper music. So, one day I bought an electric classical guitar and a portable amp, and took them to Central Park. I sat myself down in a populated area and started to play. I was nervous! This was not wallpaper. People were looking at me and listening to me, because I was not part of the background, but in their faces! When I finished the piece, I got APPLAUSE! So I played another piece. And then another. At the end of the day, I had so much fun and so much encouragement to come back - that I did, the following day. Sometime after that, I moved to "center stage" - the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There were about 30 people sitting on the steps. I set up my stool facing them, and imagined I was in a concert hall. I wondered if I was going to get thrown out of there any second - or if I was going to get laughed at or booed. But they too applauded for me, and I realized that this is what I was made for. As I came back again and again and gained experience, I became a far better player and performer. Well, I've played in Central Park and at the Museum ever since - about 15 years. I NEED to perform. I thrive on it. Playing alone, with no listener, is just practice for me. I can't put out any intensity or emotion into my playing, for just the walls. But sit one person on the steps - and I can tell when they are tuned into me - and I go into this zone where I am putting all the intensity and feeling that I can muster into my playing. Overall, it's been very rewarding, and the reaction has been very positive. I have a steady following - people I recognize that come out and listen. Today, a woman bought a CD and told me she was taking it back to Italy! I have CD's all over the world. If I had never had the chutzpah to go out there in the first place, I would have missed all this. It's been wonderful.
I arrived at my spot last Saturday, May17 2008, to find the steps under construction. I asked around at it looks like the steps may be out of bounds for playing, for at least a year.
Not so bad - I went into the park and had a lovely day. Just lovely, in every way. Next weekend was the same. I find I like being inside the park even more than at the steps.
If you're looking for me, I might be in the park, just inside the East 79th St footpath, or the East 76th St footpath.
At least half my existence in this lifetime is centered around playing for people in the Park, and at that museum. You can't imagine the time I've had, the tide of humanity drifting past me, in and out of the museum, and walking through the Park.
Some people just toss a buck in my case and keep walking. I'm grateful to them, but I don't appreciate them as much as those that hear my sound, stop in their tracks, and sit down and listen - sometimes for hours. It might sound crazy, but I bet as many people have heard me play live, as have heard John Williams, Andres Segovia, or any other concert player. It's possible. It's not unreasonable. On a typical busy day, thousands of people pass by and hundreds sit down on the steps. And I've been doing this for years.
Dear Mr. Guitar Man,
Thank you for playing so beautifully. You made my day. Many years from now, I will still remember the day when I sat on the steps of the Met and was comforted by the sounds of Albeniz. Keep playing.
Thanks again - a tourist from the Philippines
p.s. I'm sorry it was just $2. Your music was priceless
Sunday July 9, 2006
A guy took this Polaroid of me from the museum steps.
It sure was quiet there at that moment.
I wonder where everybody went!!!
I don't get it - the place was jammed a moment before I started playing.
Gee - what could have made everybody split like that???
A friend emailed me, and told me he was surfing around, doing research on some historic guitars (the MET has a few on display) and came across this graphic.
Hey, I'm in the encyclopedia!
The entry really should be titled:
Marc Friedlander Playing Classical Guitar
(with MET entrance in background)
I'll have to write to the guys who write the encyclopedia and tell them to correct it - I'm sure it was just an oversight.
I said above that I do not regularly appear on the concert stage. I've given maybe 4 or 5 FORMAL performances in my entire career. If you're in a position to increase that number, well, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!!!!!! E-mail me already!
Teatro Roma, Buenos Aires Argentina, 1998
See that photo on the left? I was told that Enrique Caruso sang on this very stage. Caruso WAS born in Buenos Aires, so it is probably true.
Now you're going to tell me that the theater looks like it is empty! Well, wise guy, I have news for you. That photo was taken at a rehearsal the day before the actual concert. The night of the real concert, the theater was ANYTHING but EMPTY. Why, there was a couple seated in the 4th row. My parents sure enjoyed the show, too. But there were other people besides just my family! There was another guy in the balcony (the theater manager). I must have been playing really great because the guy was crying his eyes out!
PRIVATE PERFORMANCES
I am happy to play at weddings (gay or straight - I'm nonjudgemental), Bar Mitzvi, parties, bashes, art gallery shows, fashion shows, house warmings, exorcisms, or anything else that comes up. If there is classical guitar involved in whatever you are planning, I can do it! email me at the link below and we'll work something out.
MY BABIES
1978 Juan Orozco
SOLD
1961 M. Velazquez
SOLD
1990 Jose Ramirez
SOLD
M. Rodriguez
Fender Stratocaster
Typed
Guitar
This guitar was made by the German luthier, Sascha Nowak
2009 Sergei de Jonge
the newest member of the guitar family
