Unbeknownst to many locals, Old St. Mary’s Cathedral (near Chinatown) hosts noontime concerts every Tuesday, with guests performing different pieces of classical music every week. Due to its timing, these concerts are frequented by mainly retired individuals as well as a few others wandering in on their lunch breaks. The high ceilings of the cathedral make the space seem grand and create a sharp acoustic that allows the music to be heard by all, even if there were no speaker system.

On January 31st, we attended a performance by Robert Howard (cello) and Amy Zanrosso (piano). The program consisted of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 7 Variations on “Bei Männern” from Mozart’s Magic Flute; Gabriel Fauré’s Sonata No. 2, Op. 117, II. Andante; and César Franck’s Sonata for Cello and Piano in A Major, M.8. It was an interesting variety of classical scores whose pace flowed piece to piece. The cello and piano were a beautiful contrast to one another, which was amplified by the musicians who are clearly incredibly skilled and in tune with one another.

The concert was a great way to take a break from studio work. It was also a great experience that we would never have known about if not for this program. Its location also meant that afterward, we all got to explore the delicious food of Chinatown and try some great boba places nearby.