Day 151: Symphony No. 9 in D minor (Furtwangler)

My listening post this morning is with a cup of coffee from Bagel Beanery to my left, just above a gingerbread cookie (which my wife bakes to perfection and is known far and wide for her skill), a twinkling Christmas tree before me, and a copy of John Ardoin’s indispensable book The Furtwangler Record to … [Read more…]

Day 133: Symphony No. 8 in F major (Furtwangler)

My listening post this morning is my office, with the trustworthy robot from Lost in Space keeping me company. Also keeping me company are German conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler (1886-1954), the Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra (now known as the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra), and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 in F major. I’ve encountered Maestro Furtwangler seven times … [Read more…]

Day 122: Symphony No. 7 in A major (Monteux)

My listening post this evening is with the TV series Grimm in the background, a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon to my left, and a fresh page of a note pad to my right. (If you’ve never seen Grimm, you owe it to yourself. It’s a great cop show set in Portland, Oregon. It’s like a … [Read more…]

Day 104: Symphony No. 6 in F major (Monteux)

My listening post today is the same as it was yesterday. Same lake view. Same gray skies. Same cat tower, only – this time – sans chat. There’s one major difference: The conductor and the orchestra. Today, I find myself listening to French-American conductor Pierre Monteux (1875-1964), the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. … [Read more…]

Day 86: Symphony No. 5 in C minor (Monteux)

My listening post this evening is in my recliner in front of the TV, with the classic movie The Dirty Dozen playing in the background. In the foreground is French conductor Pierre Monteux (1875-1964), the Boston Symphony, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor. It’s an interesting juxtaposition, I can assure you. In my … [Read more…]

Day 32: Symphony No. 2 in D Major (Monteux)

My office this morning while I blog is New Beginnings restaurant. My breakfast is a Mexican chicken all white meat omelette with jalapenos inside and enough Frank’s RedHot and Tabasco sauce on top to make my eyes water. Yummy. I first encountered Pierre Monteux (1875-1964) – and I do mean the first; I didn’t run … [Read more…]