Day 76: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major (Rogner)

My “office” this morning is home with Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season 1, Episode 1 (“Encounter to Farpoint“) on in the background. For the record, I think Next Gen is one of the most heavy-handed, over-acted of the Star Trek franchises. It’s enjoyable viewing, at times. But it’s cringe-worthy, too. Commander Riker is a … [Read more…]

Day 73: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major (Maazel)

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 American Lorin Maazel (1930-2014). I had never heard of Maazel prior to the start of my 144-day project 73 days ago. I’m not going to lie. … [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 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 60: Symphony No. 4 in E Flat Major (Rogner)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 in E Flat Major (WAB 104), titled “Romantic” by Bruckner himself, is Heinz Rogner (1929-2001), who was born in Leipzig, Germany. I have never heard a performance conducted by Heinz Rogner. This is my first. From his bio on Wikipedia: From 1958 to 1962, Rögner was … [Read more…]

Day 57: Symphony No. 4 in E Flat Major (Maazel)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 in E Flat Major (WAB 104), titled “Romantic” by Bruckner himself, is American Lorin Maazel (1930-2014), a person about whom I knew nothing and, in fact, of whom I had never heard until I started this 144-day project. I encountered Mr. Maazel three times previously: On … [Read more…]

Day 55: Symphony No. 4 in E Flat Major (Jochum)

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 Eugen Jochum (1902-1987), unarguably one of the most highly respected interpreters of Anton Bruckner’s music who ever lived. It was Maestro Jochum yesterday, too. But with a different orchestra. You see, I have … [Read more…]

Day 47: Symphony No. 3 in D Minor (Tintner)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 3 in D Minor (WAB 103), nicknamed “Wagner,” is Georg Tintner (1917-1999), the Austrian-born composer/conductor I often hear on a local Classical radio station. I first encountered (at least during this 144-day project) Mr. Tintner on Day 15 and on Day 31. Before I type another word, … [Read more…]

Day 46: Symphony No. 3 in D Minor (Solti)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 3 in D Minor (WAB 103), nicknamed “Wagner,” is Hungarian-born Sir Georg Solti (1912-1997), an artist with a long and noteworthy career. Doubt me? Read this from the entry on Wikipedia titled “Georg Solti discography”: The conductor Sir Georg Solti recorded throughout his career for the Decca … [Read more…]