Album from the New York book launch celebration of Jeremy Eichler’s TIME’S ECHO, September 7, 2023

I had the privilege of hosting the New York City launch of Jeremy Eichler‘s Time’s Echo. Jeremy and I share an editor in Jon Segal and a publishing house in A.A. Knopf. Jeremy partnered with Cristin Canterbury Bagnall to bring together the extraordinary ensemble of Johnny Gandelsman on violin, Michael Nicolas on cello, and Erika Dohi on piano to perform Shostakovich’s Piano Trio in E Minor, one of the works and composers featured in Jeremy’s book. Here’s much more about the book from his page on the publisher’s site.

We began the event with drinks and hors d’oeuvres on the terrace.

Crudite with a dip of Italian tuna in oil, capers, sour cream, cream cheese, salt, pepper, and oregano

The Flowers by Phillip as we set up

The legendary guacamole of Monica Torres, served in little bamboo cups with scoops

The buffet table

Mozzarella, grape tomatoes, and basil brushed with olive oil, on bamboo sticks

Always popular devilled eggs

French green beans wth mint in red wine vinegar with olive oil

Salmon poached at Castalano Fish Market at Eli's, decorated in house by Michael George Events.

Burnt Ends fedex-ed in from Jack's Stack in Kansas City

To honor Shostakovich, of course. And we had fresh strawberries and fresh whipped cream to complement

We remain particular about food with some set ideas about keeping it simple and delicious. Guests were encouraged to eat before the presentation and performance, which we had called for 7:15 pm. That took some coaxing.

Jeremy and Alex Beam, Boston Globe colleagues and friends of mine new and long-serving. Alex introduced me to Jeremy.

Alex Beam with Cristin Canterbury Bagnall in the kitchen as the arrivals began

Host and guest of honor

Guests and performers on the terrace as more arrived. It was warm and humid but actually pleasant.

More guests from another angle

Between the living room and dining room, which give on each other, I can seat 45 people or so. The guest list in this case was Jeremy’s. Such a warm crowd. Elena Park provided Jeremy with a beautiful introduction, after which he spoke movingly about the book and its premises and then provided context about the Shostakovich piece we were about to hear before introducing the musicians.

Half the set-up

The other half

l to r: Michael, Erika, and Johnny

Unfortunately out of focus but Jeremy was not

A very, very appreciative assemblage

The musicians with Jeremy

Jeremy with Elena Park and the violinist, Johnny Gandelsman

The post-mortem

The performance was transporting.

I thought everyone would leave just as soon as the recital ended with strawberries and cream and Russian tea cookies. The rooms were reasssembled in minutes and the core group remained for more than an hour to relish what we had just experienced.

I need to hold on to moods like the one this evening created.