My “office” this morning. It’s another cold and cloudy day in Grand Rapids. Our local weather reporter tells us it’s cloudier in Grand Rapids than it is in Seattle. Or, to put it another way, we sometimes go three weeks without seeing the sun. No wander we’re all pallid and depressed. Nothing that a little … [Read more…]
This is the last day of listening to Bruckner’s Eighth! Tomorrow starts a new chapter – Bruckner’s Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, which (as Nigel Tufnel tells us) is “the saddest of all keys.” Actually, this time Nigel may be right since Anton Bruckner died before he could finish his Ninth. This morning’s conductor … [Read more…]
This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (WAB 108), nicknamed “The Apocalyptic,” although I don’t know why, is Heinz Rogner (1929-2001), who was born in Leipzig, Germany. Maestro Rogner is included in a box set that bears his name in large letters called Bruckner: Complete Symphonies, which you can buy … [Read more…]
This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (WAB 108), nicknamed “The Apocalyptic,” although I don’t know why, is Austrian Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989), one of the most highly respected conductors – and interpreters of Anton Bruckner’s music – who ever lived. (By the way, the CD sleeve above, left, reads … [Read more…]
ANNOUNCEMENT: I made a decision this morning whilst I sat, alone, in the darkened upper floor of the local Panera. I recently discovered seven more box sets of Bruckner’s symphonies. I don’t know why I wasn’t aware of them before I started this blog. But, because of my Bruckner project, readers brought them to my … [Read more…]
This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (WAB 108) (nicknamed “The Apocalyptic,” although I don’t know why) is German-born Christian Thielemann (1959-). The orchestra is the Staatskapelle Dresden. I had never heard of Christian Thielemann before this morning. And, if you’re astute, you’ll notice the “T” of Thielemann doesn’t alphabetically … [Read more…]
This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7 in E Major (WAB 107) 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. Tinter’s orchestra is the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. I first encountered Georg Tintner (in this project) on Day 15, … [Read more…]
This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7 in E Major (WAB 107) is Heinz Rogner (1929-2001), who was born in Leipzig, Germany. Maestro Rogner is part of a box set that bears his name in large letters called Bruckner: Complete Symphonies, which you can buy from Amazon here. However, even though I’m up … [Read more…]
This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7 in E Major (WAB 107) is Austrian Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989), one of the most highly respected conductors – and interpreters of Anton Bruckner’s music – who ever lived. In fact, I compared Maestro Karajan to Tolkien’s fantasy novel Lord of the Rings on Day 56 … [Read more…]
This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7 in E Major (WAB 107) is Dutch conductor Bernard Haitink (1929-). The orchestra is Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. I first encountered Maestro Haitink on Day 5 , Symphony No. 1, of my 144-day project. Then again on Day 21, Symphony No. 2. And again on Day 37, … [Read more…]