Nimet Habachy, WQXR's New York at Night Host, Retires

Nimet Habachy, WQXR's only full-time overnight host, is retiring from her program at the end of this month. via WQXR-FM New York

[Chris Pfaff]

Nimet's dulcet tones, announcing the arrival of the new day, was one of the reasons that New York will always be the most romantic city in the world. Her angelic demeanor, playlists, and soft commentary was an idyllic counterpart to an often brutal daytime experience. Her kind is in short supply, and her radio persona is one of the great late-night voices ever to grace the radio airwaves. She will be so sorely missed. I am sure that I am not alone in weeping at her departure from the New York air. Many a time it was that I listened to her over the Web from travels to other time zones, just to hear her sweet voice say "hello everyone, this is New York at Night. I'm Nimet." Somehow, all was right with the world. God bless you, Nimet.

[Josh Levin]

I was once a bicycling buddy of Miss Habachy, back when my knees were still OK.

Much later, I would often drive from the northern suburbs of Philadelphia to Long Island early in the morning, and Nimet would keep me company on my car's radio.

[Eric Plattor]

I am saddened to hear of Nimet's retirement. I enjoyed listening to her between visits to New York. She helped personify the city.

[David R Roell]

I have fond memories of Nimet from her early days in 1982. I was an itinerant photographer in an SRO on W 48th. I had to wait until it was dark to set up my lab, so I got to hear a lot of Nimet in the early morning hours. Always urging us to stay up & stay awake! She made that easy to do.
I remember she used to play five performances of the same piece, challenging us to listen to the details. I remember one memorable evening when she surveyed various runners up to La Marseilles, which she described as ever more blood curdling & gristly than the last. That sort of thing seemed to wane over the years, but Nimet was always great good fun, a wonderful companion. It shocks me that so many years have passed.

[Bill Brooks]

I will miss Nimet greatly, especially her voice, musical selections, and program theme. She has been for years one of the most civilized aspects of life in New York.

[L B Johnson]

Nimet Habachy brought a definite grace and elegance to the airwaves that will be deeply missed. I found Nimet and WQXR quite by accident following an auto accident which made it difficult to sleep at night. Listening to her refined and intelligent demeanor was like spending the late night with a dear friend. Thank you, Nimet, and may God bless your new adventure (marriage) which, by the way you embarked upon one week after I did (June,2007). Here's to health,wonderful living,and most of all, LOVE!!!

[Kaaawa]

Thank You Nimet for years of Wonderful listening!

My roommate Labiba & I spent many late nights listening to you while finishing our graduate work at Columbia. You were always a Joy to listen to and your musical choices were excellent!

God Bless You in your new marriage

[Michael Fierman]

I remember two thing best about her- one was her comforting tone and words the night of hurricane gloria in 1985- she reminded me of a british broadcaster during the blitz. another was perhaps her 10 anniversary show--i got in a cab and brought a bottle of champaign to her. i dropped it off at the desk, but did get a lovely note from her a few days later.

she will be missed!

[Dan Moriarty]

Sic mundit transit gloria!!

[Frank Fumelli]

Nimet's signature tune for "New York at Night" was Debussy's "En Bateau", for 2 pianos. Does anybody know which recording of "En Bateau" she actually used?