My office today is the D&W Foods store and cafeteria. I had wanted to go see the movie Blaze. But thanks to construction at the mall, there are no places to park even close to the movie theater. So I aborted and drove here to listen to American conductor David Zinman (1936- ), Tonhalle Orchster … [Read more…]
This morning, I find myself listening to German conductor Gunter Wand (1912-2002) and the North German Radio Symphony Orchestra playing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 in B flat Major. I first encountered Maestro Wand in my Beethoven project on… Day 17. Rating: “Huzzah!” Day 35. Rating: “Huzzah!” Day 53. Rating: “Huzzah!” Three “Huzzah!” ratings in a … [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…]
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…]
This morning, I am listening to renowned German conductor Otto Klemperer, the Philharmonia Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 in B flat Major. Klemperer (father of actor Werner Klemperer, of Hogan’s Heroes fame) was born in the 1880s and lived to be 88 years of age, passing away in 1973. That’s a good, long run. … [Read more…]
My office on this beautiful, sunny Sunday is the balcony overlooking the lake. Current temperature is 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Time is 12:23pm. I first encountered Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan’s famed 1977 Beethoven cycle on… Day 11. Rating: “Meh!” Day 29. Rating: “Huzzah!” Day 47. Rating: “Huzzah!” What will today bring – “Meh!”? Or “Huzzah!”? … [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…]
My office today is a nearby Barnes & Noble, a place I haven’t spent much time in lately because they don’t have what I like to buy: CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, and books that aren’t the latest NY Times Bestseller pablum. I used to love going to B&N when it was in its old location. Parking … [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…]