My listening post this morning is in a tiny house in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. If you look really closely at Vincent van Gogh’s painting The Starry Night, just to the right of the steeple, you can see me. I’m wearing a red beret. Just kidding. Actually, my listening post this morning is inside a steamer trunk. It’s … [Read more…]
My office this morning is my office this morning. I’m sipping coffee from Bagel Beanery, munching on roasted almonds, listening to David Zinman (1936- ), Tonhalle Orchester Zurich, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor. Today is the last time I hear to Beethoven’s Fifth in this 162-day project of mine. Tomorrow, I return … [Read more…]
My “office” this morning is the Restaurant-Chain-That-Must-Not-Be-Named for coffee and a bagel. And, of course, a helping of Hungarian-born American conductor and composer George Szell (1897-1970), the Cleveland Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor. Hot dog! Do I have a couple of hours lined up for myself, or what? I have to … [Read more…]
Today is gorgeous. The temperature is 57 degrees (Fahrenheit), under blue skies, with just a slight 9-mile-per-hour breeze out of the South. So I wasted no time setting up my makeshift desk and got to work listening to English conductor Sir Simon Rattle (1955- ), The Wiener Philharmoniker, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C … [Read more…]
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…]
My office this afternoon comes complete with Pumpkin Whoopie Pies and a glass of cold rice “milk.” (It’s actually called Rice Drink. But it’s the color of milk and it comes in a half gallon carton like milk does. So I call it milk.) This time of year is when the Pumpkin Whoopie Pies emerge … [Read more…]
This morning, I find myself listening to German conductor Otto Klemperer (1885-1973), Philharmonia Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor. I’ve experienced Maestro Klemperer four times previous to this morning, on… Day 12. Rating: “Huzzah!” Day 30. Rating: “Meh!” Day 48. Rating: “Huzzah!” Day 66. Rating: “Meh!” Two “Huzzah!” and two “Meh!” ratings. … [Read more…]
This morning, I return to Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989), the Berliner Philharominiker, and Beethoven’s incomparable Symphony No. 5 in C minor. We’ve had a blustery, cold, rainy Fall here in West Michigan. October is my favorite month – normally. This year, it’s one of my least favorite. It’s been too cold and rainy … [Read more…]
My office today is the balcony, sans flowers and pots, I not only have a great view, but a very find lunch to boot: a ginger-turmeric kombucha, a turkey wrap sandwich, and a Jonagold apple that we picked ourselves a week or so ago. Classical music and a delicious lunch. What could be better? Not … [Read more…]
This morning, I am listening to German conductor Eugen Jochum (1902-1987), the London Symphony Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor. I have encountered Maestro Jochum four times previous to this morning, on… Day 9. Rating: “Huzzah!” Day 27. Rating: Not quite Meh, but not Huzzah! either Day 45. Rating: “Huzzah!” Day 63. … [Read more…]