Inexpensive ways to see classical music in NYC

I think I saw a string quartet in the subway once?

This thread was actually inspired by hearing another one of those critics on WNYC who complains about how classical music only attracts older audiences because it has some kind of stuffed-shirt gray hair fuddy duddy image or something. I was like, fuck that! I love classical music, and I don't want to be pandered to. So I wanted to go see some, but then I remembered that it's usually expensive.

I'm not sure if they do it in NY, but there are "rush"-type tickets available at some symphonies for students and the like. You show up a half hour before and get discounted tickets. I'd check with whatever symphony you'd like to see and go.

I'm pretty sure a lot of people think the symphony is boring, but it really depends on your taste. I saw a recent show where the theme was Russian/Baltic composers and loved the whole thing. Amazingly, the old people left after the first half when the guest pianist was done playing. On the other side, there was a guest director who did music from the Lord of the Rings films (it was supposed to be Howard Shore, the composer, but he canceled) and people I know who went thought it was kind of choppy and less interesting.

I think it'd be less boring if they didn't always do the same top 20 pieces, exposed people to the less known pieces and compsers, etc.

One thing I really hate with ANYTHING that's generally considered boring (but has merit) is when they try to use external gimmicks or ideas to bring people in instead of finding a way to sell the music on its own merits by trying to express what it is about the music itself that's so exciting. Easier said than done, I guess.

New York Ballet has student rush tickets. So does the Met (opera). The Phil performs for free in Central Park in the summer. Get there early, obv.

Miller Theatre at Columbia University has frequent performances by student and professional groups for $cheap. Often times cool modern stuff!

Julliard students are constantly playing for free in their little auditorium, I forget what it's called. You go to the Julliard building at Lincoln Center, go inside and tell the guard you're there for the recital, go through the turnstile and the auditorium is straight across the lobby. Of course, depending on who's performing, they may be exceedingly stoned and completely forget a passage from a piece they've played 100 times to the amusement of their friends in the meager audience. But not likely. Likely you'll be wowed, for free.