Shostakovich's second movement from his popular Concerto for Piano No. 2 is a melancholic and enchanting piece of music that can be found on many classical music compilation CDs including one of my favorites, Romantic Adagios. Composed in 1957, the Concerto for Piano No. 2 was a birthday present to his son, a pianist. Some say that the lack of piano virtuosity was because Shostakovich wrote the piece to fit his son's talents. No matter, this piece of music is lovely. Listen to Shostakovich's Adagio from his Concerto for Piano No. 2 on YouTube.

Lincoln Center and Wordless Music will present a radically different concert on Friday, August 15, 2008, free to the public at the Damrosch Park Bandshell in New York City. The several hour long performance will include music by Pérotin, Manuel Göttsching, and Rhys Chatham. The event will debut Rhys Chatham's Crimson Grail (2008) for 200 Electric Guitars. That alone would be worth seeing. So, if you are or will be in the New York City area come Friday, here is a free event to consider attending! Learn more about Wordless Music: 800 Years of Minimalism - The Spiritual Transcendent.