This morning, under mostly cloudy skies and a temperature of just 56 degrees F., I’m glad to be inside, in another of my Happy Places: a Chick-fil-A restaurnt. But I’m not alone. I have my ninja to keep me company. I like to think he’s a friend. But he’s a ninja. So, like our cat, … [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 inside looking out. It’s too windy to be outside. Plus, it’s been raining for two days. So it’s humid on top of that. So, here I sit eating a bowl of Heartland cereal with rice milk on it, listening to German conductor Eugen Jochum (1902-1987) and the London Symphony Orchestra … [Read more…]
My listening post this morning is a Bob Evans Restaurant. In Fort Wayne, Indiana. I figured a change of pace would do me good. Not really. I’m here on business. So here I sit, eating a Homestead breakfast (love the sausage gravy and biscuits!), being waited on by a very nice lady named Antonia who … [Read more…]
This morning, as I wait to meet up with my mom and brother for breakfast, I find myself sitting in a Tim Horton’s restaurant sipping coffee and eating a Boston Creme donut. Both are delicious. Just what I needed to start my morning. Well, that and conductor Herbert Blomstedt (1927- ), my wife, Staatskapelle Dresden, … [Read more…]
My office this morning overlooks the lake. The temperature is 65 degrees Fahrenheit. There is a slight breeze out of the East. I’m sipping a Breakfast Blend coffee from Bagel Beanery, munching on Dry Roasted & Salted Almonds from Trader Joe’s, and pondering why in the hell I like Leonard Bernstein’s performances so much. I … [Read more…]
My office this morning is the one and only Chick-fil-A, a restaurant chain run so well, so politely, serving such delicious food that it ought to be a crime to not eat here. Today starts a whole new cycle of Beethoven’s symphonies for me, which means I’m back to the “A” in my conductor roster: … [Read more…]
This morning, I am listening to American conductor David Zinman (1936- ), Tonhalle Orchester Zurich, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E flat Major. Prior to my Beethoven project, I had only vaguely heard of Maestro Zinman. According to his bio on Wikipedia, “[Zinman] then worked in Maine with Pierre Monteux from 1958 to 1962, … [Read more…]
First of all, today is 9/11. So, on this day, especially during the morning hours, I always reflect on the attack in New York. I remember watching the TV coverage live as it happened. I was in the meeting room of the ad agency where I worked at the time. All of us were. We … [Read more…]
My office this morning is my office. (Yes, I like the 1960s TV series Lost in Space.) Anyway, I was going to visit another restaurant/coffee shop this morning. But all the booths were full. So I just kept driving until I got to my office. Here, I’ll listen to “Hungarian-born Jewish-American conductor and composer” George … [Read more…]