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…]
In this Beethoven project, I first encountered Dutch conductor Bernard Haitink (1929- ) on Day 8, and then again on Day 26. On those two days – as it will be for the next six times I hear Haitink conduct – the orchestra is the London Symphony Orchestra. The back of the liner notes tells … [Read more…]
Today, I have the legendary German conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler on tap. Speaking of which, my office this morning would have been outside on the deck surrounded by lovely flowers in pots and a nice view of the turtles, fish, herons, and ducks on the lake. As it is, my office while I listen to Beethoven’s … [Read more…]
I first encountered French conductor Andre Cluytens (1905-1967) and Orchestre Philharmonique De Berlin on Day 6. And then again on Day 24. On Day 6, I proclaimed his performance “Huzzah!” worthy. On Day 24, I wrote that I wanted to poke out my ears with a pencil. So, what will Day 42 bring? I’ll know … [Read more…]
My office this morning, once again, overlooks the small lake behind our residence. It’s a bit chilly this morning (65 degrees Fahrenheit) under partly cloudy skies. So, unlike on previous mornings, I had to wear what I call a “shammy,” which is in this case an oversized, button-down flannel shirt I purchased from Cabela’s. Don’t … [Read more…]
I own a lot of box sets from Brilliant Classics: Brahms Complete, Chopin Complete Works, Beethoven Complete Edition, and Haydn Edition. At one time, I believe I owned the Bach Edition: Complete Works box, but I sold it to buy another Bach complete set that didn’t use period instruments. (I can only take just so … [Read more…]
I won’t lie. I think Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) is my favorite conductor of Beethoven’s symphonies. Whenever I listen to one of Bernstein’s performances, I’m filled with joy, awe, and reverence. I am caught up in his unbridled enthusiasm because I think the orchestra is, too. Even this, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E flat Major, … [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…]
This morning, I return to the top of the batting order with Italian conductor Claudio Abbado (1933-2014). The orchestra is the Berliner Philharmoniker. The record label is the legendary 120-year-old Deutsche Grammophon. The only difference this time is I’m listening to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E flat Major, Opus 55 – also known as … [Read more…]