Because I love Chick-fil-A restaurants so much, I’m back here again, this time listening to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E flat Major as rendered by Franz Konwitschny, the quirky German conductor who always delivers a fine performance but who isn’t as well known these days as he probably should be. From his bio on … [Read more…]
My listening spot this morning is the cafeteria of Forest Hills Foods, where a Starbucks Blonde Roast (yeah, I know it’s a pour over) and a blueberry donut with cream cheese frosting are in order. It’s a nice place to be – as long as I don’t watch CNN on one of the TVs dangling … [Read more…]
This morning, I’m at the Restaurant-Chain-That-Must-Not-Be-Named, having a Light Roast coffee, greeting friends as they come in and happen to see me, reading Facebook posts, and listening to Argentinian conductor Daniel Barenboim (1942- ) work his magic with Staatskapelle Berlin as they play Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E flat Major. It’s been raining, thundering, … [Read more…]
My “office” this morning is a D&W grocery store with a Starbucks inside. I’m in the dining area. A Coke machine taunts me, albeit in vain, from the opposite wall. I don’t drink soda (or pop as we call it) all that often. When I do, it doesn’t come from a machine in a grocery … [Read more…]
Okay. I’ll be honest. I have a soft spot in my heart for Argentine conductor Daniel Barenboim (1942- ). And Staatskapelle_Berlin. My wife and I saw both and in person at Carnegie Hall on Saturday, January 28, 2017. The performance was Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8. It was a night we’ll never forget. Anyway, I … [Read more…]
If I recall my conductors correctly, German Eugen Jochum (1902-1987) was one of the best of the best when it came to Anton Bruckner’s symphonies. I know because I listened to Jochum 18 times as he conducted Bruckner’s nine symphonies from two different box sets. (See 144 Days With Bruckner And Me.) I think I … [Read more…]
I like Bernard Haitink. A lot. I remember Amsterdam-born Maestro Haitink (1929- ) from my Bruckner projects a year or so ago (see My Year-Long Project page). That’s why I chose him for my Beethoven project. There was something about Haitink that stood out from almost all other conductors to which I listened. Could have … [Read more…]
It’s been awhile (May 5, 2017) since my last musical adventure, so I’m not surprised that I totally forgot about my appointment with Ludwig this morning as my wife and I headed toward the car for Sunday donuts at Marge’s Donut Den in Wyoming, Michigan. Half-way down the steps, I stopped short, “Shoot!” I said … [Read more…]