When we think of classical music in New York City, a few venues come immediately to mind: Carnegie Hall, which has hosted a number of legendary musicians from Tchaikovsky to Horowitz, and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, which is home to the New York Philharmonic, the New York City Ballet, and the Metropolitan Opera.

Some might scratch their heads, though, if I were to suggest adding Madison Square Garden (MSG) to that list. After all, it's home to three professional sports teams and typically hosts the likes of Britney Spears and Justin Bieber. In a way, however, this historical building has also heard its fair share of classical tunes — albeit from the most unlikely of sources...

ANDREW SCHARTMANN'S MUSICAL TIDBITS

ERIK SATIE

SERGEI RACHMANINOV