There’s an interesting story in today’s New York Times about Le Poisson Rouge – a New York venue that presents classical music as if it was any other gig. After all, just because the music is pretentious, doesn’t mean the presentation has to be. Plus, if you’re going to listen to Xenakis, you’ll want somebody serving you drinks. This seems like a good time to mention two things:

1) Jan Vogler’s new Shostakovich and Hendrix album was recorded there. The arrangements from the Jazz Suites are particularly good.

2) The world’s best Polka/Classical/Folk/World crossover ensemble is performing there on September 14th.