Day 162: Symphony No. 9 in D minor (Zinman)

Today is the last day of my 162-day project. (That’s nearly six straight months, to you and me.) It would be foolhardy of me to claim I didn’t learn anything, or that I didn’t enjoy myself. Once again, I learned a lot. And I had fun doing it. So these 162 days were time well … [Read more…]

Day 161: Symphony No. 9 in D minor (Wand)

I don’t really have a listening post this evening. Well, I do. But it’s the same as they have been for awhile. So why subject anyone else to my rut? I’m just listening to German conductor Gunter Wand (1912-2002), North German Radio Symphony Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor. I’ve encountered Maestro … [Read more…]

Day 158: Symphony No. 9 in D minor (Monteux)

My listening post this morning, Christmas morning, is in front of the tree (now laden with presents to be unwrapped later today), with our cat sitting, ludicrously, in the middle of the floor, and the 1947 holiday movie The Bishop’s Wife on in the background. The Bishop’s Wife is a classic through and through. It … [Read more…]

Day 152: Symphony No. 9 in D minor (Haitink)

With the Penny Marshall film Big playing in the background, I’m drinking a kombucha, eating a Caesar salad, and listening to… Dutch conductor Bernard Haitink (1929- ), the London Symphony Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor. I’ve encountered Maestro Haitink eight times previous to this evening, on… Day 8. Rating:”Meh!” Day 26. … [Read more…]

Day 144: Symphony No. 8 in F major (Zinman)

My listening post this morning is in front of our Christmas tree, overlooking a frozen lake. To my left is a mug of coffee and – in my 5-CD changer – are the first five Jefferson Starship albums turned down low, like the music would be in a restaurant. To my right is a notepad … [Read more…]

Day 108: Symphony No. 6 in F major (Zinman)

This evening, with Disc One, Episode One of The Crown (the British TV series that “follows the political rivalries and romance of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign and the events that shaped the second half of the 20th century”) in the background…and David Zinman (1936- ), Tonhalle Orchester Zurich, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F … [Read more…]

Day 98: Symphony No. 6 in F major (Haitink)

This afternoon, I have the pleasure (or maybe not; time will tell) of listening to Dutch conductor Bernard Haitink (1929- ), the London Symphony Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F major. I’m going to get right down to it. I’ve encountered Maestro Haitink five times previously, on… Day 8. Rating:”Meh!” Day 26. Rating:”Huzzah!” … [Read more…]

Day 86: Symphony No. 5 in C minor (Monteux)

My listening post this evening is in my recliner in front of the TV, with the classic movie The Dirty Dozen playing in the background. In the foreground is French conductor Pierre Monteux (1875-1964), the Boston Symphony, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor. It’s an interesting juxtaposition, I can assure you. In my … [Read more…]

Day 82: Symphony No. 5 in C minor (Karajan)

My office today is the balcony, sans flowers and pots, I not only have a great view, but a very find lunch to boot: a ginger-turmeric kombucha, a turkey wrap sandwich, and a Jonagold apple that we picked ourselves a week or so ago. Classical music and a delicious lunch. What could be better? Not … [Read more…]

Day 80: Symphony No. 5 in C minor (Haitink)

This morning, sitting on the porch sans flowers (they’ve been ripped out and the pots made ready for winter storage), I listen to Dutch conductor Bernard Haitink (1929- ), the London Symphony Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor. October is my favorite month. It’s the most colorful (at least, here in Michigan), … [Read more…]