Purchase a pair via this link. Here are all the full details on the event courtesy of BAM’s official site:

*THE BQE – COMPOSED AND PERFORMED BY SUFJAN STEVENS – NOV 1—3 AT 8PM

BAM HOWARD GILMAN OPERA HOUSE
RUNNING TIME: APPROX 90MIN
TICKETS: $20, 25, 35, 50

A prolific singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer with a penchant for storytelling, Sufjan Stevens reveals the epic in the everyday in songs infusing the vernacular of Midwestern folk with a distinctly orchestral grandeur. Stevens pairs orchestrated selections of both new and old material with the 25th Next Wave Festival commission/world premiere of The BQE—a symphonic and cinematic exploration of one of New York’s least celebrated monuments: the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.

Robert Moses’ controversial 11.7-mile roadway tears through neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens with the brute force of modern urban planning, and in Stevens’ hands becomes an evocation of the intersection of intimate experience and the American Dream. Merging a virtual road trip shot on film with a live band and orchestral ensemble, The BQE discovers abstract patterns and stories in the snaking traffic, potholed pavement, billboards, badly marked exits, and beautiful city views, revealing what happens when Manifest Destiny converges with urban blight.*

MP3: Sufjan Stevens – Jason

In case you haven’t already heard, Sufjan Stevens will be orchestrating ‘new and old material with the 25th Next Wave Festival commission-world premiere of The BQE-a symphonic and cinematic exploration of one of New York’s least celebrated monuments: the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.’ (read more on the press release over at Brooklyn Vegan).

In a recent entry on Suf’s official site, posted just hours ago, he explains the inspiration behind his latest project. He declares that it will center on ‘abstract patterns and stories in the snaking traffic, potholed pavement, billboards, badly marked exits, and beautiful city views, revealing what happens when Manifest Destiny converges with urban blight.’

Can’t wait for this one. It will premiere November 1st, 2nd and 3rd at BAM.

MP3: Sufjan Stevens – Springfield

Goosebumps. That’s what I was experiencing for nearly all of Antony’s pitch-perfect set at BAM tonight. Antony & The Johnsons teamed up with The Brooklyn Philharmonic for an 80-minute show at The Brooklyn Academy Of Music (BAM)’s stunning Howard Gilman Opera House. Antony came out center stage, sans piano, in a white kimono-shmata-sweatshirt-type top with matching white marching band pants and white shoes. Roughly five feet behihd him was the Philharmonic in its entirety along with The Johnsons.

The setlist began with B-side ‘Mysteries Of Love’ and predominantly emphasized Antony’s new work and rarities. In fact, the only songs lifted from either of his proper full-lengths were ‘Cripple & The Starfish’, ‘Rapture’, ‘For Today I Am A Boy’ and the beautiful, set-closing ‘River Of Sorrow’. Antony’s vocals were absolutely exemplary tonight – the best I’ve ever heard him, to date. One of the most surprising moments of the evening was when Antony attmpted a Beyonce cover. Yes, you are reading correctly, he busted into a melancholic rendition (what else would you expect, seriously?) of ‘Crazy In Love’ midway through the set and it was magnificient!

This show will surely go down as one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. First note to last, this show was impeccable. Now if only the two heavyweights would team up weekly, Antony & The Brooklyn Philharmonic could become the new MisShapes!

Sadly we missed the performance last night, BUT, LUCKILY, Pop Drivel saw it and recorded an MP3 for our listening pleasure!

According to PD, Nellie looked amazing last night and ‘sounded fabulous’. Would we expect anything else?

Man, Letterman is getting all my faves the last few weeks….

Oh, speaking of Nellie, is anyone going to her 2/1 BAM show with Joan Osborne, Suzanne Vega & Laurie Anderson? That should be a great one!

MP3: Nellie McKay – Happy Flower (live on Letterman)

YOU KNOW I’ll be there! Tix on sale 11/27.

MP3: Antony & The Johnsons – For Today I Am A Boy