Day 58: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor (Barenboim)

This evening, I am listening to Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 9 in D Minor (WAB 109), 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. (I’ll never stop bragging about that. It was … [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 42: Symphony No. 7 in E Major (Barenboim)

This morning, as we here in West Michigan enjoy a rare mid-April snow shower (we were supposed to get 4″-8″ of the nasty stuff; thankfully, that storm center appears to have missed us), I am listening to Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7 in E Major (WAB 107) interpreted by Argentine-born pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim … [Read more…]

Day 34: Symphony No. 6 in A Major (Barenboim)

Today, I am sick as a dog. But I’m soldiering through, listening to Daniel Barenboim’s interpretation of Bruckner’s Sixth. Also, I’m at one of my favorite eateries, enjoying three of the best chili dogs ever to grace a plate. “Three with everything” is how you order them at Red Hot Inn. They arrive looking like … [Read more…]

Day 26: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major (Barenboim)

My “office” this morning is the cafeteria of the local grocery store. Not many people here at this hour. And that’s the way I like it. This morning, I am listening to Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major (WAB 105), nicknamed “Pizzicato Symphony” or “Tragic,” interpreted by Argentine-born pianist and conductor Daniel … [Read more…]

Day 18: Symphony No. 4 in E Flat Major (Barenboim)

My “office” this morning was a doctor’s office. Two of them, actually. So I don’t really have any pictures to show – other than the one I took of my ninja on the patient table. Ninja? You mean you haven’t heard the ninja story? It’s a fun one. I’ll share it sometime. In a nutshell, … [Read more…]

Day 7: Symphony No. 2 in C Minor (Barenboim)

My “office” this morning: Red Hot Inn, a little after 6am. I’m the only person in the restaurant at this hour. I like it that way. Red Hot Inn is a local institution. They’re known for their chili dogs. But their breakfasts are quite delicious – and reasonably priced, too. For the record, I had … [Read more…]

Day 2: Symphony No. 1 in C Minor (Barenboim)

This morning, as the snow flies in Grand Rapids (remember, we had a thunderstorm yesterday), I am listening to Bruckner’s Symphony No. 1 in C Minor (WAB 101), nicknamed “The Saucy Maid,” interpreted by Argentine-born pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim (1942-). I saw Maestro Barenboim conduct the Staatskapelle Berlin at Carnegie Hall on January 28th … [Read more…]