Dear readers,

I've been to New York loads of times, the ones that stand out in the memory being my audition for Juilliard (yes, I got in, but for Harvey Shapiro not Leonard Rose), and — many years later — performing in Carnegie Hall with the Hanover Band, and performing in Lincoln Centre with Sir John Eliot Gardiner.

Can't say I was any too impressed with the city, however, on any of these occasions. New York struck me, a suburban person who values light, air and trees, as loud, noisy, dirty (extremely dirty), rude, and even obnoxious, despite the wonderful concert halls, numerous theatres and terrific eating places...

NEW YORK