Day 70: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major (Jochum)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 5 in B-Flat Major (WAB 105) – nicknamed “Tragic,” “Church of Faith,” or “Pizzicato” symphony (for reasons I’m still discovering), is German-born Eugen Jochum (1902-1987), unarguably one of the most highly respected interpreters of Anton Bruckner’s music who ever lived. I have two CD box sets conducted … [Read more…]

Day 69: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major (Haitink)

Ladies and gents, this is what my wife and I encountered this morning at 6am when we pulled into the parking lot of a local restaurant to sit, sip some coffee, and listen to Haitink’s interpretation of Bruckner’s Fifth. Welcome to Hell – I mean, Michigan – in early December. This morning’s conductor of Anton … [Read more…]

Day 68: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major (Gielen)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 5 in B-Flat Major (WAB 105) – nicknamed “Tragic,” “Church of Faith,” or “Pizzicato” symphony (for reasons I’m still discovering), is German-born Michael Gielen (1927-). The orchestra is SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Frieburg. I had never heard of Michael Gielen prior to starting my project back in … [Read more…]

Day 67: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major (Wand)

Before I type a word about my project this morning, I need to express my sorrow at the passing of Greg Lake, the “L” of ELP, and one of the founding members of King Crimson. I interviewed Greg at length via phone in the mid to late 1990s. I met him in London, and then … [Read more…]

Day 66: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major (Chailly)

Just wanted to let everyone know about a very cool Facebook group devoted to Anton Bruckner, which you can find here. It’s a robust group, with many active members, people who are passionate about the group’s namesake, as well as music in general. Check them out. Now, on to our regularly scheduled program… This morning’s … [Read more…]

Day 65: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major (Barenboim)

This morning starts a brand new symphony as well as the next 16-day leg of my 144-day journey through the symphonic works of Austrian composer Anton Bruckner (1824-1896). My listening space this morning is Baker Book House, one of the largest and greatest bookstores in the Midwest. Their hours are 7am to 11pm. Let that … [Read more…]

Day 64: Symphony No. 4 in E Flat Major (Wand)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 in E Flat Major (WAB 104), titled “Romantic” by Bruckner himself, is German-born Gunter Wand (1912-2002). Maestro Wand’s name had come up a time or two when I read reviews online of Bruckner’s symphonies. So, when I first started my project – back on October 3rd … [Read more…]

Day 63: Symphony No. 4 in E Flat Major (Tintner)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 in E Flat Major (WAB 104), titled “Romantic” by Bruckner himself, is Georg Tintner (1917-1999), the Austrian-born composer/conductor with whom I was already familiar prior to starting my 144-day exploration of Bruckner’s music. For one thing, I own a couple of recordings conducted by Tintner. Plus, … [Read more…]

Day 62: Symphony No. 4 in E Flat Major (Solti)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 in E Flat Major (WAB 104), titled “Romantic” by Bruckner himself, is Hungarian-born Sir Georg Solti (1912-1997), an artist with a long and noteworthy career. I provided a lengthy bio of Sir Georg on Day 46 of my 144-day exploration. If you want to know about … [Read more…]

Day 61: Symphony No. 4 in E Flat Major (Skrowaczewski)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 in E Flat Major (WAB 104), titled “Romantic” by Bruckner himself, is Stanislaw Skrowaczewski (1923-), the famed Polish-born artist who even has a web site with a cool name: Seeking The Infinite, which is also the title of a biography about him. You can find it … [Read more…]