NEWSDAY
May 28, 2002

HIS CATHEDRAL SWAN SONG:
Maestro bids farewell
By Karen Freifeld

Thousands of classical music enthusiasts filled the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine last night to hear one of the final concerts conducted by Kurt Masur as musical director of the New York Philharmonic.

Masur, who is departing the Philharmonic, gave his first Memorial Day concert there in 1992, and by last night it had become a cherished tradition. The farewell was a quintessential city event, replete with a line that stretched for blocks and for nearly three hours before the bittersweet performance of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 1, also known as "Titan."

"It's free," said Jim Kovacs, a regular at the annual Memorial Day concert. "It'll be interesting to see if they continue it."

Masur, 74, who has been with the New York Philharmonic for 11 years, did not have his contract renewed, though it was well known that he wanted to stay on.

While waiting in line, Frank Carson, 61, said, "I've come because I love Mahler and the opportunity to hear the symphony again for no charge."

He said he heard the Philharmonic three weeks ago at Avery Fisher Hall for $40.

Masur's looming departure also was a topic of discussion.

"They never understood him," said Alex Lubashevsky, 60, a software engineer who lives in New Jersey. "He's too complicated for America. I'm very sorry he's leaving, but I never felt he was a complete part of this orchestra."

The Very Rev. James Kowalski, dean of St. John's, spoke before the concert, and designated Masur as a "colleague of the cathedral" - an honor bestowed on few.

Kowalski said, "a decade ago, Kurt Masur began a tradition of free music... and placed it in this cathedral." The conductor's dedication and discipline helped make "all performances a two-way communication from stage to seat."

Masur said, "To be here was always a privilege. As I came first to this cathedral, I was deeply moved by the inside of this place and I decided we should play here."