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Welcome to The New York City Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Upcoming WWE Friday Night Smackdown

• Cricket's Popularity Surges in New York

• A deep dive into the life of Aaron Copland

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“If you want to be a true professional, do something outside yourself.”

— Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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New York City Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

Which New York City landmark is the site of the annual New Year's Eve ball drop?

A) Madison Square Garden

B) Times Square

C) Rockefeller Center

D) Central Park

Answer to Last Week’s Trivia: The famous New York City art museum known for its spiral architecture is B) The Guggenheim Museum.

The Best Stories of the Week

💼 Business

Manufacturing Activity Declines in New York State. (link)

🏦 Finance

Crypto Trading Firm Cumberland Acquires New York's BitLicense. (link)

Bank of New York rebranding cuts ties to a fading Wall Street era. (link)

🏒 Sports

Former Knicks Forward Could Return to NBA. (link)

Popularity of the sport of cricket grows across New York. (link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

⚾New York Mets vs. Houston Astros
Citi Field Flushing, NY
Friday June 28 | 7:10 PM | (more info)

🤼WWE Friday Night SmackDown
Madison Square Garden New York, NY
Friday June 28 |7:45 PM | (more info)

Music & Concerts

🎵 The Heart of Rock and Roll
James Earl Jones Theatre New York, NY
Thursday June 27 | 7:00 PM | (more info)

🎤Jacquees
Webster Hall New York, NY
Friday June 28 | 8:00 PM | (more info)

Family

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Kids Concert with Mike Messer Music
542 West 36th Street New York,
Tuesday, June 25 · 10:30 - 11:15am EDT | (more info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “New York City celebrating a futuristic international festival..” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

New York City History

1945: The United Nations headquarters established in NYC.

In 1945, following the devastation of World War II and the dissolution of the League of Nations, the establishment of the United Nations headquarters in New York City marked a significant moment in international diplomacy and cooperation. The decision to place the UN in New York was made during the United Nations Conference on International Organization in San Francisco, where the UN Charter was signed. The city was chosen partly due to its status as a global hub and partly because of a significant donation from John D. Rockefeller Jr., who provided $8.5 million to purchase the Manhattan site where the headquarters would be built.

Construction of the United Nations headquarters began in 1948 on an 18-acre site along the East River in Manhattan. The complex was designed by a team of international architects, including Le Corbusier and Oscar Niemeyer, making it a masterpiece of modernist architecture. The location of the UN in New York symbolized the city's—and by extension, America's—emerging role on the world stage in the post-war era. The headquarters officially opened in 1952, housing the principal organs of the UN, including the General Assembly and the Security Council.

The establishment of the United Nations in New York City has had enduring implications for both the city and global diplomacy. It turned New York into an anchor for international politics and a center for addressing global issues, from peacekeeping and human rights to environmental and economic development. The presence of the UN has also culturally enriched the city, bringing together diplomats, staff, and visitors from around the world, and contributing to New York's diverse and cosmopolitan character.

Famous New Yorkers In History

Aaron Copland (1900–1990): Composer, composition teacher, writer, and conductor.

Aaron Copland (1900–1924): Early Life and Education

Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1900, Aaron Copland was the youngest of five children in a Lithuanian Jewish immigrant family. His early exposure to music was through piano lessons, and by his teens, he was composing short pieces. Eager to pursue a formal education in music, Copland attended the American Conservatory of Music in Fontainebleau, France, where he studied under the esteemed Nadia Boulanger. This experience significantly shaped his musical style and philosophy.

Aaron Copland (1925–1935): Establishing a Voice

Upon returning to the United States, Copland became one of the first American students of Boulanger to make a significant impact on music in the U.S. He embraced a style that was distinctly American in its themes, drawing inspiration from jazz and folk traditions. His compositions during this period, including the ballet Grohg and Music for Theater, showcased his evolving approach to incorporating American themes into classical music structures.

Aaron Copland (1936–1945): Peak Creative Period

This era marked Copland's most fruitful period as he composed some of his most renowned works, such as Billy the Kid (1938), Rodeo (1942), and Fanfare for the Common Man (1942). These compositions reflected American life and landscapes, resonating deeply with audiences and establishing Copland as a pivotal figure in American classical music. His work not only incorporated traditional folk tunes but also pushed the boundaries of orchestral music with new rhythms and harmonies.

Aaron Copland (1946–1955): Broadening Horizons

During this period, Copland expanded his repertoire as a conductor and teacher, influencing the next generation of American composers. He also ventured into film music, winning an Academy Award for his score for The Heiress (1949). His role as a music educator took him across the United States and abroad, where he lectured extensively on music and composed works that were more experimental in nature, including his opera The Tender Land (1954).

Aaron Copland (1956–1965): Political Challenges and Artistic Evolution

Copland faced significant personal and professional challenges during the McCarthy era due to his earlier sympathies with progressive causes. Despite these difficulties, he continued to compose, shifting his focus towards serialist techniques, which marked a significant departure from his earlier folkloristic style. This period also saw him composing less frequently as he turned his attention more towards conducting and teaching.

Aaron Copland (1966–1975): Later Compositions and Conducting

In the later stages of his career, Copland slowed his compositional output but remained active as a conductor, often leading orchestras in performances of his own works. His compositions from this period, such as Duo for Flute and Piano (1971), reflected a more introspective and refined approach to music-making. He also became a prominent public speaker on musical issues, advocating for contemporary composers and American music.

Aaron Copland (1976–1985): Recognition and Reflection

As Copland approached his late seventies and eighties, he received numerous awards and honors recognizing his contributions to American music, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964 and the National Medal of Arts in 1986. Although he retired from active composing, his influence continued through his extensive writings on music, which included books and essays that articulated his views on music’s role in society.

Aaron Copland (1986–1990): Final Years

In his final years, Copland ceased conducting due to health issues and lived quietly, reflecting on his legacy and continuing to mentor young musicians. He passed away in 1990 in North Tarrytown, New York, leaving behind a vast and impactful body of work that had shaped American classical music profoundly.

Aaron Copland (Connection to New York)

Copland's lifelong connection to New York deeply influenced his music. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he was a product of the city’s rich cultural tapestry. New York’s vibrant arts scene provided a backdrop for his early development and later, his professional growth, positioning him as a leading figure in 20th-century American music.

Key Achievements:

• Developed a distinctive musical style that incorporated American folk tunes and jazz into classical music.

• Composed iconic American works such as Appalachian Spring, Billy the Kid, and Fanfare for the Common Man.

• Received prestigious awards, including an Academy Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

• Influenced American music not only through his compositions but also as an educator, conductor, and writer.

Aaron Copland was a seminal figure in American music, whose compositions celebrated the spirit and landscapes of the United States with innovation and clarity. His work transcended the concert hall, touching the lives of people across the country and making classical music a part of America's cultural identity. Copland's legacy endures, marked by his profound influence on generations of musicians and composers.

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-Matthew Larsen