Open Air Autumn Concert at the Essex Quarry Nature Preserve

Pianist Ben Cosgrove performs in a beautiful natural setting.

Preparing for the Music of Nature concert featuring Ben Cosgrove in the Essex Quarry in 2023. All photos courtesy Piano by Nature.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to enjoy pianist Ben Cosgrove performing his compelling compositions in the stunning natural surroundings of the CATS Essex Quarry Nature Preserve.

Ben Cosgrove is a traveling composer, pianist, and multi-instrumentalist based in northern New England. He performs regularly all over the country, presenting a unique variety of original instrumental music that explores themes of landscape, geography, and environment while straddling a line between the folk and classical genres.

Concert-goers at the Essex Quarry Nature preserve.

Writing about Ben’s work, the Boston Globe [paywall] said, “Geography is Cosgrove’s muse…Like a sonic plein-air painter, [he] uses his piano as a paintbrush — and he’s made a name for himself doing it.”

Ben’s “electric and exhilarating” solo piano performances are at once dazzling and intimate: music that has been described as “stunning” and “compelling and powerful,” — Red Line Roots has called him “stupidly talented” — all presented with “warmth, humor, honesty, and the easy familiarity of a troubadour.”

Adirondack community collaboration to deliver a uniquely special event.

Like many uniquely Adirondack events, it is made possible through the collaboration of various community members.

Easy does it! Moving a piano into a quarry takes a lot of cooperation.

Piano by Nature conceived the event and worked with Champlain Area Trails (CATS) and Rawson Family Pianos to make it happen.

CATS green-lit the idea for an open-air concert at the Essex Quarry Nature Preserve, while Chris Rawson of Rawson Family Pianos in Plattsburgh provides the grand piano. Russel Feher and Fine Line Audio keep the sound ‘just right’ in the Quarry.

About the Music by Nature event.

The October 19 concert with Ben Cosgrove starts at 2 pm at the CATS Essex Quarry Trail just outside of Essex, NY, on Lakeshore Road. Piano by Nature recommends attendees bring water, blankets or low chairs to sit on, bug spray, warm layers, and shades in hopes of a sunny day.

While no tickets or registration is required, Piano by Nature and CATS will request donations, accepting cash and checks at the site. For your convenience, they will also welcome donations in advance by making a payment on their website.

Piano by Nature encourages concertgoers to park in the town lot across from the ferry if walking is not a concern. Those needing to park closer to the site may park throughout Essex. There is very little parking in the Quarry lot, and they would like to keep it open for people with disabilities, so please plan for parking in town and carpooling when possible.

Visit Piano by Nature’s website for more information, and visit Champlain Area Trails Facebook page for updates.

Watch Ben Crosgrove talking about (and playing) his beautiful music.

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