New York Polyphony on Martha!
This past Tuesday there was a very special guest appearance on my television show. In case you missed the program, my nephew, Christopher Herbert, performed with his group, New York Polyphony, an amazing male classical vocal quartet that sings both early and new music. This group has received numerous accolades for their rich and beautifully blended voices. It was my first time hearing them perform and I must say that I was so impressed with the expressive intensity of these extremely skilled singers. This group has a busy tour schedule in this country and around the world. New York Polyphony was so kind to give everyone in the audience a copy of their holiday CD, I Sing the Birth. Last October, the group recorded a new CD, called endBeginning, in a spectacular chapel in Sweden and even though it has yet to be released, you can download it by clicking here. Enjoy this little tour of my holiday-decorated television studio.
1 This is the fabulous New York Polyphony - Craig Phillips (bass), Christopher Herbert (baritone), Geoffrey Williams (countertenor), and Steven Wilson (tenor) - They opened the show with the beautiful 'Gabriel’s Message,' a traditional holiday carol.
2 The set kitchen is decorated beautifully with evergreen garlands and mercury glass ornaments.
3 And, of course, candy in soft shades of green
4 I love how these peppermint striped amaryllis look embellished with silver foliage.
5 A silver tinsel tree with green balls
6 Another view of the kitchen
7 What could be more holiday than a crimson amaryllis?
8 Mercury glass ornaments nesting on fragrant evergreens upon an ironstone platter
9 A gorgeous lily arrangement
10 Even pears look terrific when arranged on aromatic juniper greens and berries.
11 A fragrant bay leaf wreath
12 And my favorite pomegranates
13 White amaryllis in full bloom - simply elegant!
14 The potting shed area of the studio is all decked out for the holidays. The bin contains artificial snow, which was being added to the set before the show.
15 Our prize sleigh filled with goodies for some lucky winner - New items are added each day.
16 A polar bear scene against a red backdrop
17 A mossy corner with little red cardinals
18 A demilune table with feather trees, a menorah, and gelt
19 It was our annual cocktail party and audience members who were seated on the studio floor, sat at festive round tables.
20 The audience was told to dress in cocktail attire.
21 And they got to sip Fever-Tree Ginger Ale http://www.fever-tree.com/ through festive paper straws, made by Kikkerland - an audience give-away. https://www.kikkerland.com/products/paper-straws-box-of-144-red/
22 This is the door through which the audience enters and exits the studio.
23 The tray features my original Entertaining book, as well as my recent Martha's Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations. http://shop.marthastewart.com/Marthas-Entertaining-A-Year-of-Celebrations/A/0307396460.htm
24 The audience looked so great!
25 Joey Kola warming up the crowd, although he strained his voice singing Christmas carols over the weekend.
26 Preparing the Twist and Sparkle for the opening - It is a beverage carbonating system, an audience give-away from Williams-Sonoma. www.williams-sonoma.com
27 One segment was filled with ideas from Event Designer, Bronson Van Wyck about how to set up a holiday bar that encourages self-service.
28 One way is to have flavorful infused vodkas ready for pouring.
29 Another is to have cocktail recipes written out on chalkboards.
30 Here's a citrusy champagne cocktail called 'French 76.'
31 Another audience giveaway were these rolls of disposable tear-off cotton cocktail napkins by MYdrap. www.buymydrap.com
32 An inexpensive way to add a personal touch to the bar is with personalized stirrers.
33 During commercial breaks, there is always flurry of activity with Joey handing out prizes and telling jokes.
34 Sarah Mastracco prepped the next segment with Bronson Van Wyck demonstrating a really good bloody Mary mixer.
35 These are the ingredients for the Hellfire Club Bloody Mary Mix. http://www.marthastewart.com/873220/hellfire-club-bloody-mary-mix
36 My makeup artist, Daisy Schwartzberg, popped on set for a touch-up.
37 Bronson said to add a cup and a half of vodka to the mix, but I prefer to pour by feel instead of measuring!
38 For my bloody Mary garnish, I chose a stalk of celery and a cucumber spear. I said I like to drink them without alcohol and Bronson said that in Australia, that drink is called a bloody shame!
39 Posing with Lindsay Reiss, Collins Cherry of Van Wyck & Van Wyck, and Bronson Van Wyck
40 TV Chef Thomas Joseph demonstrated his winning recipe for Brown Butter Nuts with Rosemary and Thyme. http://www.marthastewart.com/873193/brown-butter-nut-mix-rosemary-and-thyme
41 Our next segment was all about bitters, which are often described as a bartender's 'salt and pepper.' Bitters have had quite a resurgence in the last few years.
42 Brad Thomas Parsons, author of the book, 'Bitters,' showed how to make a delicious Cranberry Crush cocktail.
43 It includes both orange and cranberry bitters, candied ginger, cranberry syrup, gin, Ramozotti bitters, lime juice, and tonic water. Garnish with a lime twist! http://www.marthastewart.com/873195/cranberry-crush
44 With Brad Thomas Parsons, who generously shared 'Bitters' as an audience give-away. btparsons.com
45 The New York Polyphony closed the show with another wonderful song and then took questions from the audience.
46 Because they performed one song in French, this woman asked what other languages they sing in.
47 Chris, who is fluent in Arabic, listed Latin, English, Italian, Spanish, and German. He has also sung in Polish and Portuguese, but not in Arabic, yet.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
The audience sure looked festive. And, I liked your outfit, Martha.
I wish could have heard and seen the guys sing.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | December 22nd, 2011 at 1:08 am
I truly enjoyed hearing the music of the Polyphony.
there is something about men's voices that just is so pleasing to the ear. thank you for sharing this talented group.
Posted by: Susan Butler | December 22nd, 2011 at 1:56 am
The"New York Polyphony" singers were wonderful!!
They brought a tear to my eye, so glad you had them on your show!!
Posted by: Dalene Parker | December 22nd, 2011 at 3:09 am
Hi Gloria - You can hear them sing! Just click on the blue link that says 'guest appearance' or the other blue link that says 'clicking here.' Enjoy!
Posted by: Martha Stewart | December 22nd, 2011 at 7:45 am
Thanks, Martha!! I finally was able to hear them, after several tries. I'm not good at all the new fangled things like down-loading and such.
But, what beautiful voices! It sounded as if there was an organ playing in the background. And, it remnded me of a BIG group of Monks singing, and there is only 4 of them.
Was there an organ, or is this just their unique voices?
Tomorrow is my birthday, and it was kind of like a pre-birthday present to hear them sing.
Thanks, again!
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | December 22nd, 2011 at 8:37 am
Gloria - I'm so glad you figured it out and got to hear NYP sing! Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Martha Stewart | December 22nd, 2011 at 8:53 am
3 million and that is just the beginning of those of us who view these great blogs. There may be many who have suffered much this past year and future seems bleak but what a great opportunity to forget our troubles and be able to share your life here. Keep on inspiring us with LIVING and partying with your staff, family, and customers.Most of us know reality but love to dream and have hope for brighter days.
Posted by: ann | December 22nd, 2011 at 9:27 am
Thank You, Martha!
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | December 22nd, 2011 at 9:57 am
The set looks so festive! I loved how nice the audience looked for your cocktail party show! Martha, you looked lovely and elegant as usual! Love your shoes! Your nephew and the NYP group were mesmerizing. I really enjoyed listening to them. My favorite part of the show though was the self service bar! It's one of the things I struggle with when I host parties, how to avoid being stuck as the bartender!......BTW, Happy Birthday Gloria!
Posted by: Cindy F | December 22nd, 2011 at 10:10 am
Hi Martha, All of your holiday TV Shows this year have been fantastic and I love seeing so many of your wonderful relatives on your shows! Christopher Herbert is one handsome, talented fellow and I love hearing him sing with his partners of the New York Polyphony group! These photos are absolutely stunning! Your audience looked lovely and Joey Kola was also handsome! Your studio kitchen is outstanding-oh how I would love to be there! Seeing the close-ups of your TV studio is spectacular! Whoever printed on those chalkboards is very talented! You looked so gorgeous and I loved seeing you in close-up photos #38,39,42,44,&45-BEAUTIFUL! Happy Birthday Gloria, so glad you could hear the New York Polyphony sing! Thanks so much Martha for sharing the information about Ghenghis Khan being on the Westminster Dog Show-can't wait to view it! Have another great day! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | December 22nd, 2011 at 10:16 am
Martha,
New York Polyphony sang beautifully! I'm so glad we were able to experience them. Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | December 22nd, 2011 at 11:07 am
Hi Martha,
Chris and his group sing beautifully – I really enjoyed hearing them on the show the other day and it almost sounded like music was playing in the background. Fantastic! (Laura, you must be so proud of your talented children! It wouldn’t surprise me if Charlie could sing too!) Thanks Martha for this blog and for all of the set pictures. You have the best looking set on TV – it must be even more gorgeous in person.
~
Happy Birthday to Gloria! So close to Christmas too. One of my nieces was born on December 24th and she missed out on a lot of birthday parties being so close to Christmas. We always had a cake for her though! Enjoy your day. Trish
~
P.S. You just made the standing rib roast on the show and I’m starving!
Posted by: Trish | December 22nd, 2011 at 11:47 am
I love your Show.. and everything you do in sewing, cooking, crafts and home ideas. Just wanted to share my Handmade Hats that I made from sweaters....for kids in need. I have Spinal stenosis and have had a few recent surgeries.. so sewing helps fill my days. Respectfully, Margaret Guthrie
Posted by: mguthrie21@columbus.rr.com | December 22nd, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Martha,
Thanks for showing all the different ways to decorate. I found some cedar boughs and down on the ground were the blue berries, with a little glue all was good. I put them on the lid of the 5 gallon plastic bucket my friend will use in her green house. I told her to place her wine glass on it while admiring plants. Of course the bucket had the wine and glasses---no fun recipes like your black boards showed. Those clever Australians.
Posted by: Margie | December 22nd, 2011 at 12:55 pm
I loved the carol "Gabriel's Message" that the group performed. It was beautiful. I first heard it about 20 years ago when Sting did it on the album "A Very Special Christmas." It is one of my favorites!
Posted by: Karen in Carolina | December 23rd, 2011 at 12:06 am
merry christmas martha.your holiday shows were wonderful.all of the gentlemen singers were great.your nephew chriss group ny polyphony sounded melodically pure and fabulous!the rock candy trees were beautiful.happy holidays and cheers to a new creative year! julie
Posted by: julie | December 23rd, 2011 at 8:09 am
I look forward to your show everyday.Thank you ! Jane
Posted by: Jane Collins | December 23rd, 2011 at 4:09 pm
The recipe for the potato souffle is online. Just enter 'potato souffle' on Martha's home page and it comes up.
Posted by: Sandra Carter | December 23rd, 2011 at 9:43 pm
I really enjoyed listening to NY Polyphony sing on the link you provided. I hope you'll feature your nephew's group more on your blog.
Posted by: Karen | December 24th, 2011 at 2:39 am
I appreciated that you had singers that sang about the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus' birth! And so beautifully, thank you.
Merry Christmas to all!
Posted by: LJ | December 26th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Hello Martha,
You showed a picture of a Christmas tree covered with icicles on one of your shows last week. Do you have a link to this pic so I can show it to my husband?
Thanks,
Marybeth
Posted by: Marybeth | December 27th, 2011 at 3:07 pm
Martha,
Do you actually come up with most of these ideas or do you have a little help?
Posted by: Yolanda | December 27th, 2011 at 4:34 pm