I once heard Emanuel Ax, the pianist, give a great performance. Google has recalled the specifics: It was in August 2005 at the Mostly Mozart Festival. Ax played Mozart’s Concerto No. 22 in E flat, K. 482. I have now heard Ax give another great performance. It was of the same concerto.

This second performance was on a Wednesday night in the same hall: Avery Fisher. The conductor and orchestra were different, however. They were Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic. Ax’s phrasing was exemplary. He breathed along with the composer. He was both smooth and articulate. He was sensitive without being mousy. What rubato he used was intelligent. He fudged a trill or two, particularly at their resolution, but this was of little importance.

Crucially, he was not afraid to play simply. “‘Tis the gift to be simple.” And you may remember a Rubinstein quip: “Mozart is too easy for children and too hard for adults.”

For the second movement, Andante, Ax chose a perfect tempo. Tempos in these “slow” movements of Mozart’s are hard to get right. He sang this movement with an inevitable and natural feeling. The Rondo was jaunty and stylish. It was humorous in spots without being hammy. The cadenza that Ax has composed for this movement is fitting and clever; I thought I heard horn calls.

Above all, Ax played the Rondo, and all of the concerto, with pleasure. It is a privilege to play Mozart. I believe Ax knows this. As the audience applauded, the man behind me said to his wife—loudly and twice—“Good ol’ Manny Ax.” He was more than “good ol’ Manny Ax” on this occasion: He was a great Mozartean.

Gilbert and the orchestra did their roles ably. There was a botched entrance in the horns near the opening, which was unfortunate. Some of the exposition had a clock-punching feeling. But, on the whole, the orchestra was alert, correct and compact. The beginning of the Andante was positively beautiful.

The main work on this program was one of the main works of Mozart’s life, and of music at large: the “Great” Mass in C minor. The orchestra was again alert, correct and compact (and so were the New York Choral Artists). Gilbert was never less than competent. He was completely assured and thoroughly prepared. In my judgment, however, this performance was barren of spirituality. It was also, I’m afraid, a bore.

But I must say it was nice to hear the Mass performed with some richness, beauty and blood. In recent years, I have heard nothing but “period” performances, particularly at the Salzburg Festival. They are thin gruel, with some straw sticking out. They also feature mindlessly fast tempos. At the Philharmonic, it was a relief to hear “Laudamus te” at a sane, musical pace.

The evening’s soprano was Jennifer Zetlan, who was starry when she was a student at Juilliard. In the Mass, she began a little uncertainly and had no low notes. But she soon gained her stride and was wonderful. The other singers were adequate, with the tenor, Paul Appleby, sounding like a Polenzani in the making. The bass in Mozart’s Mass has even less work to do than the mezzo-soprano in Beethoven’s Ninth.

A famous mezzo once told me she had a piece of advice for other mezzos engaged for the Ninth: “Wear a pretty dress.”

Compiled by Alice Robb and Reid Spagna

Thursday, July 22

New View of Matisse—The MoMA’s new exhibit gives a fresh perspective on the world-renowned painter. Matisse: Radical Invention, 1913-1917 displays a variety of paintings, sculptures and drawings that demonstrate the Frenchman’s growth as an artist. The exhibit also features X-ray images of his painting “Bathers by a River,” revealing how the piece developed over 18 years of work. MoMA, 11 W. 53rd St., 212-708-9400; 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., $12-$20.

Friday, July 23

Organ Concert—Bach Sommerfest 2010 presents an organ concert, Preludes on Lutheran Chorales, and an accompanying lecture by Professor Mark Bighley on the history of the Lutheran Chorale. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 3 W. 65th St., 212-877-6815; 5:30 p.m. lecture, 7 p.m. concert, $10 suggested donation.

Muppets and Popcorn—Hudson River Park’s River Flicks for Kids presents The Great Muppet Caper. Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear travel to London to report on a string of high-profile jewelry thefts, including that of the coveted Baseball Diamond. Free popcorn is served. Hudson River Park’s Pier 46, Charles and West streets, 212-627-2121; dusk (around 8:30 p.m.), Free.

Carol Channing—Legendary Broadway star Carol Channing chats with cabaret entertainer Richard Skipper about her new gospel CD, as well as her colorful career. Barnes & Noble, 1972 Broadway, 212-595-6859; 6 p.m., Free.

Saturday, July 24

Identity Crisis—The Midtown International Theatre Festival presents Asian Belle by Michelle Glick, directed by Christine Renee Miller. The daughter of a Vietnamese war bride spends her youth aspiring to be a Southern belle. The Dorothy Streslin Theatre, 312 W. 36th St., 1st Fl., 212-279-4200; 5 p.m., $18.

Sunday, July 25

Hitchcock on the Silver Screen—Symphony Space gives this summer a thrilling twist with Hi-Def Hitch, the first-ever showing of Hitchcock films in high definition. The line-up includes classics such as Vertigo, Rear Window and The Birds, and runs throughout July and August. Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, 212-864-5400; $8-$12.

Monday, July 26

History of New York Parks—Each park in Manhattan has its distinct tale as told by Before They Were Parks. This in-depth exhibit reveals the origins of many Manhattan parks, and features over 100 photographs from the New York City Parks Photo Archive. The Arsenal Gallery, 830 5th Ave. (inside Central Park), 212-360-1311; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Free.

Mercury Mission—The MESSENGER spacecraft, developed under NASA’s Discovery Program, is the first space probe to investigate Mercury in more than 30 years. Sean Solomon, principal investigator of the MESSENGER mission, discusses the importance of understanding Mercury’s high-density composition, geological history and magnetic field. LeFrak Theater, American Museum of Natural History, 1st Fl., Central Park West at West 79th Street, 212-769-5200; 7 p.m., Free.

Tuesday, July 27

A Summer for Swimming—With temperatures hitting triple digits in Manhattan, now is the best time to teach your child how to swim. The City Parks Foundation is teaming up with the American Red Cross to give free Learn-to-Swim classes at local parks. Registration for the program’s second session runs from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. on July 26. John Jay Pool, 77 Cherokee Place, www.nyc.gov/parks; Free.

Paging Dr. Strangelove—The Jewish Association for Services for the Aged will be holding a series of seminars presented by Alan Weisman, former producer of 60 Minutes, CBS Sunday Morning and CBS Evening News. The second of his three seminars, Red Scares in the Sunset, or How To Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, will delve into the American media’s portrayal of the Communist threat during the Cold War. JASA, 130 E. 59th St., 212-273-5304; 6 p.m., $15.

Everyday Art—The Midtown Arts Common presents Susan Mastrangelo’s Slice of Life, an exhibit that aims to unearth the artistry of everyday life. The Narthex Gallery at Saint Peter’s Church, 619 Lexington Ave., 212-935-2200; 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Free.

Mostly Mozart—The 2010 Mostly Mozart Festival opens with a program including works by Chopin, Handel, Gluck and, of course, Mozart. Louis Langrée leads the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra in its acclaimed interpretation of two of Mozart’s most popular works, the overture to La clemenza di Tito and the “Haffner” Symphony. Festival favorite Emanuel Ax performs Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor; mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe makes her Mostly Mozart debut. Avery Fisher Hall, Columbus Avenue and West 65th Street, 212-875-5316; 8 p.m., $35-$90.

Wednesday, July 28

Street Theater—Marking its 40th anniversary, Lincoln Center Out of Doors calls up its street culture roots with No Snakes in This Grass, a landmark theater/performance piece from the Civil Rights Movement. Written by James Manguson, this retelling of the story of Adam and Eve is directed by Mical Whitaker. Barclays Capital Grove, southern section of Hearst Plaza, Lincoln Center Plazas between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenues, 212-875-5000; 6:30 p.m., Free.

Lunch and Listen—The MTA Arts for Transit’s Music Under New York program continues its summer concert series, which brings members of New York’s diverse underground music scene to the lively oasis of Broadway and 66th Street. Music lovers are invited to bring lunch, join friends and relax at a performance featuring renowned guitarist Shogo Kubo and unconventional string quartet the Hopkins Entertainment Group. Richard Tucker Park, Broadway and 66th Street, 212-878-7250; 12 p.m., Free.

Thursday, July 29

Manhattan in 1900—Playwright Martin Zuckerman and Turtle Shell Production have taken a famous John Dos Passos novel and adapted it for the stage. Manhattan Transfer chronicles the Big Apple’s evolution during the early 20th century through the intertwined stories of several New Yorkers. The Shell Theater, 300 W. 43rd St., 212-352-3101; 7 p.m., $18.