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 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…]