Day 72: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major (Karajan)

My “office” first thing this morning – the restaurant near my actual office. Sometimes, I really enjoy just being out and about, having coffee (or, as is the case this morning, Greek Gods yogurt – Black Cherry flavor – and Smart Water), watching people, listening to Bruckner, and typing these words. My favorite thing to … [Read more…]

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 56: Symphony No. 4 in E Flat Major (Karajan)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 in E Flat Major (WAB 104), titled “Romantic” by Bruckner himself, is another heavy hitter in the world of conductors – Austrian Herbert Von Karajan (1908-1989). If Karajan was one of Tolkien’s rings in his The Lord of the Rings novels, he’d be the One to … [Read more…]

Day 54: Symphony No. 4 in E Flat Major (Jochum)

Got a booth in the cafeteria of a local grocery store (okay, it’s D&W), spread out my usual accoutrements, and now I’m ready to rock! 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 … [Read more…]

Day 40: Symphony No. 3 in D Minor (Karajan)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 3 in D Minor (WAB 103), nicknamed “Wagner,” is Austrian Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989), one of the most highly respected conductors – and interpreters of Anton Bruckner’s music – who ever lived. I encountered Herbert von Karajan twice before in this 144-day musical journey: On Day 8 … [Read more…]

Day 38: Symphony No. 3 in D Minor (Jochum)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 3 in D Minor (WAB 103), nicknamed “Wagner,” is German-born Eugen Jochum (1902-1987), unarguably one of the most highly respected interpreters of Anton Bruckner’s music who ever lived. The orchestra is the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks. I encountered Mr. Jochum four times before in my 144-day journey: … [Read more…]

Day 33: Symphony No. 3 in D Minor (Barenboim)

This morning begins a new chapter. Today, I start the next 16-day leg of my 144-day journey – this time, listening to Bruckner’s Symphony No. 3 in D Minor (WAB 103), nicknamed “Wagner,” from the perspective of 15 different conductors (Eugen Jochum conducts each symphony twice; in two different box sets). This morning’s conductor of … [Read more…]

Day 22: Symphony No. 2 in C Minor (Jochum)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s “Symphony of Pauses” (Symphony No. 2 in C Minor, WAB 102) is Eugen Jochum (1902-1987). I first encountered Mr. Jochum on Day 6 of my 144-day journey. I first listened to his conducting of the Berliner Philharmoniker orchestra (what I’m hearing right now) on Day 6, which was October … [Read more…]

Day 17: Symphony No. 2 in C Minor (Barenboim)

This morning begins a new chapter. Today, I start the next 16-day leg of my journey – this time, listening to Bruckner’s Symphony No. 2 in C Minor (WAB 102) from the perspective of 15 different conductors (Eugen Jochum conducts each symphony twice; in two different box sets). This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Second … [Read more…]

Day 8: Symphony No. 1 in C Minor (Karajan)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 1 in C Minor (WAB 101) is Austrian Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989), one of the most highly respected conductors – and interpreters of Anton Bruckner’s music – who ever lived. According to his entry on Wikipedia, [Karajan] was principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic for 35 years. … [Read more…]