Day 72: Symphony No. 4 in B flat Major (Zinman)

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…]

Day 67: Symphony No. 4 in B flat Major (Konwitschny)

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…]

Day 64: Symphony No. 4 in B flat Major (Karajan)

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…]

Day 63: Symphony No. 4 in B flat Major (Jochum)

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…]

Day 61: Symphony No. 4 in B flat Major (Furtwangler)

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…]

Day 59: Symphony No. 4 in B flat Major (Bohm)

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…]

Day 56: Symphony No. 4 in B flat Major (Barenboim)

I think I’m addicted to Mexican chicken omelettes (with plenty of hot sauce) from New Beginnings restaurant. Or, maybe, I simply like restaurants where I can just sit, without being bothered too much, and have endless cups of coffee poured for me while I work. Some restaurants in town are unsuitable for that – for … [Read more…]

Day 52: Symphony No. 3 in E flat Major (Szell)

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…]

Day 46: Symphony No. 3 in E flat Major (Karajan)

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…]

Day 43: Symphony No. 3 in E flat Major (Furtwangler)

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…]