My listening post today is overlooking the lake on a bleak, cold, snowy early November. The temperature is 28° (that’s -2°C to all my overseas friends). It may not be the coldest November in Michigan history. But it ranks right up there. This winter is going to be a bitch. Thankfully, it’s the perfect day … [Read more…]
This morning, the morning after setting the clocks back an hour for Daylight Savings Time, I thought I’d brew up my own coffee, pop in a Blu-ray of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and listen to Gunter Wand (1912-2002), the North German Radio Symphony Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F major (the … [Read more…]
My work station this morning is under the Golden Arches. That’s right: McDonald’s, the world-famous restaurant chain known for its French fries, Big Macs, Egg McMuffins…and food seemingly extruded from the same stuff so that it tastes the same and looks the same the world over. I decided to stop here for an hour or … [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…]
My listening post this morning is the same as it was last night: my recliner. Only this time, the movie on in the background (that I can’t hear because I’m listening to German conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler (1886-1954), the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor) is The Exorcist. Take that, wife! … [Read more…]
This morning, I find myself listening to conductor George Szell (1897-1970), The Cleveland Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 in B flat Major. I first encountered Maestro Szell in my Beethoven project on… Day 16. Rating: “Meh!” Day 34. Rating: “Meh!” Day 52. Rating: “Huzzah!” What will today bring? I’ll soon find out. Beethoven wrote … [Read more…]
My happy place again – the second floor of the local library. If not for the increasing pain in my knees (they both need to be replaced), I’d sit here all day. I love this spot. Anyway, this morning I am listening to German conductor Franz Konwitschny (1901-1962) as he leads the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig‘s performance … [Read more…]
My office this morning is, once again, Chick-fil-A – one of my favorite restaurants, especially at breakfast time. It’s quiet, not crowded, and they serve (“My pleasure!”) a fine cuppa Joe. I like their cheesy advertisements, too. All that cow stuff. (Cows telling people to “Eat Mor Chikin”.) It’s corny. But I think it’s clever … [Read more…]
This morning I am listening to Wilhelm Furtwangler (1886-1954), the Wiener Philharmoniker, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 in B flat Major. Even if his conducting wasn’t legendary, I’d likely be a fan of Maestro Furtwangler just because it’s fun to say his name: “Furtwangler.” See? I’m smiling right now as I say it. I have … [Read more…]
My listening post today is my happy place – the second floor of the local library. Here, I can survey the landscape and think thoughts as big as the vista before me. It’s the perfect setting for listening to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 in B flat Major as rendered by Austrian conductor Karl Bohm (1894-1981) … [Read more…]