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…]
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 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 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…]
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…]
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 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…]