Day 56: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (Young)

My “office” this morning is Bagel Beanery, a different one from where I was awhile back. This particular bagel shop is one my wife and I frequent, partly because we love bagels and partly because it’s on the way to our respective offices. Their coffee is quite good, too. So, this morning as I eat … [Read more…]

Day 55: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (Klemperer)

This morning, I am listening to Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (WAB 108), interpreted by German-born conductor and composer Otto Klemperer (1885-1973). Prior to this Bruckner project, I had never heard of Otto Klemperer – although I had heard of his son, actor Werner Klemperer, most famous for his portrayal of Col. … [Read more…]

Day 54: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (Janowski)

My “office” this morning is, once again, the local library. I love this place. So, here I sit, listening to Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (WAB 108), interpreted by Polish-born German conductor Marek Janowski (1939-). Maestro Janowski’s orchestra is Orchestre de la Suisse Romande. If you want to know what I thought … [Read more…]

Day 53: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (Inbal)

This morning, I am listening to Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (WAB 108), interpreted by Israeli conductor Eliahu Inbal (1936-). I heard Maestro Inbal on seven previous days: On Day 3, Symphony No. 1. And on Day 8, Symphony No. 2. And on Day 14, Symphony No. 3. And on Day 21, … [Read more…]

Day 52: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (Furtwangler)

This morning, I am listening to Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (WAB 108), interpreted by the legendary German conductor and composer Wilhelm Furtwangler (1886-1954). This time, his orchestra is the Wiener Philharmoniker, also known as the Vienna Philharmonic. I’m not going to repeat the background on Maestro Furtwangler, although I do suggest … [Read more…]

Day 51: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (Celibidache)

My “office” this morning is the library, one of my favorite places to be. When I was a kid, I loved the library and spent hours there, sitting on the floor beside stacks of books stretching as far as the eye could see, reading. Then, I’d check out a load of books that nearly dwarfed … [Read more…]

Day 50: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (Barenboim)

This evening, as Season 1 Episode 10 of Grimm plays in the background, I am listening to Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (WAB 108), interpreted by Argentine-born pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim (1942-), whom I saw conduct the Staatskapelle Berlin in a performance of Bruckner’s Eighth at Carnegie Hall on January 28th … [Read more…]

Day 49: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (Barenboim)

A new cycle of Bruckner symphonies begins today! This morning, I am listening to Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (WAB 108), interpreted by Argentine-born pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim (1942-), whom I saw conduct the Staatskapelle Berlin in a performance of Bruckner’s Eighth at Carnegie Hall on January 28th of this year. … [Read more…]

Day 48: Symphony No. 7 in E Major (Young)

My “office” this morning is Baker Book House, which can be an extraordinary distraction for me. At any point as I sit here listening, I can jump up and go in search of a book in Baker’s immense Used Book section. For a book nut like myself, that’s an ever-present temptation (and a very real … [Read more…]

Day 47: Symphony No. 7 in E Major (Klemperer)

This morning, I am listening to Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7 in E Major (WAB 107), interpreted by German-born conductor and composer Otto Klemperer (1885-1973). Prior to this Bruckner project, I had never heard of Otto Klemperer – although I had heard of his son, actor Werner Klemperer, most famous for his portrayal of Col. … [Read more…]