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 58: Symphony No. 4 in E Flat Major (Masur)

My “office” this morning. Back at the grocery store cafeteria. My view features a group of older guys – a couple of whom were using an iPad and detachable keyboard set-up – kvetching about the world. This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 in E Flat Major (WAB 104), titled “Romantic” by Bruckner … [Read more…]

Day 48: Symphony No. 3 in D Minor (Wand)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 3 in D Minor (WAB 103), nicknamed “Wagner,” is German-born Gunter Wand (1912-2002), someone – thanks to reviews on Amazon and elsewhere – I had been eager to hear when I first began my project back on October 3, 2016. My experiences with and opinions of his … [Read more…]

Day 42: Symphony No. 3 in D Minor (Masur)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 3 in D Minor (WAB 103), nicknamed “Wagner,” is Kurt Masur (1927-2015), another person about whom I knew nothing and of whom I had never heard until I started this project. He was born in Germany and died just last year at the age of 88 in … [Read more…]

Day 32: Symphony No. 2 in C Minor (Wand)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s “Symphony of Pauses” (Symphony No. 2 in C Minor, WAB 102) is German-born Gunter Wand (1912-2002). I first encountered Mr. Wand on Day 16. To say I wasn’t kind in my assessment of his interpretation of Bruckner’s First Symphony is a wee bit of an understatement. I’m hoping today’s … [Read more…]