Because I love Chick-fil-A restaurants so much, I’m back here again, this time listening to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E flat Major as rendered by Franz Konwitschny, the quirky German conductor who always delivers a fine performance but who isn’t as well known these days as he probably should be. From his bio on … [Read more…]
This morning, I am sitting at a nearby Chick-fil-A restaurant. The sun has just risen. The sky is overcast. The time is 7:33am. My wife joined me this morning because, technically, we’re both on vacation for the next few days. And yet here we are – me at my blog and she and her laptop … [Read more…]
My listening spot of choice this morning is, once again, our balcony. Truth be told, it’s my favorite place to listen to music and write. But it means I’ll have to drive farther to get to my office when I’m done; whereas, if I was at Panera I’d be a mile and a half from … [Read more…]
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…]
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 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…]
I’m back at my “office” of New Beginnings restaurant and my Mexican chicken omelette with enough hot sauce to make my eyes water. To me, it’s the only way to enjoy food – if it stings and burns. This early in the morning, I need waking up like that. My listening fare today is Gunter … [Read more…]
My office this morning is a table in the back of Bagel Beanery, the purveyor of the largest, tastiest bagels in Grand Rapids (for whatever that’s worth). So, as I sip my Breakfast Blend coffee, and munch on my Dill Havarti bagel (toasted with plain cream cheese), I listen to German conductor Franz Konwitschny (1901-1962) … [Read more…]