Day 137: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor (Maazel)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s unfinished Symphony No. 9 in D Minor WAB 109 (dedicated “to the beloved God”) is American Lorin Maazel (1930-2014). I first encountered Maestro Maazel on Day 9 in my 144-day project. On that day, he interpreted Bruckner’s First. Then again on Day 25, Symphony No. 2. Then again on … [Read more…]

Day 121: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (Maazel)

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 American Lorin Maazel (1930-2014). I first encountered Maestro Maazel on Day 9 in my 144-day project. On that day, he interpreted Bruckner’s First. Then again on Day 25, Symphony No. 2. Then … [Read more…]

Day 105: Symphony No. 7 in E Major (Maazel)

My listening space this morning – back at the grocery store. I love getting here before anyone else does and watching the sun rise. Makes me feel all productive and sly. This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7 in E Major (WAB 107) is American Lorin Maazel (1930-2014). I first encountered Maestro Maazel … [Read more…]

Day 89: Symphony No. 6 in A Major (Maazel)

My “office” this morning is Big Apple Bagels. At this hour, no one else is here – which suits me just fine. It’s just me, my wife, and the Smooth Jazz that often plays in establishments trying hard to be cultured. Me? I have no need of culture. I have Anton Bruckner, as rendered by … [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 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 25: Symphony No. 2 in C Minor (Maazel)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 2 in C Minor (WAB 102) is American Lorin Maazel (1930-2014), a person about whom I knew nothing and of whom I had never heard until I started this project. I first encountered Mr. Maazel on Day 9, and I wrote this: Maazel’s Allego is sluggish and … [Read more…]

Day 9: Symphony No. 1 in C Minor (Maazel)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 1 in C Minor (WAB 101) 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 project. According to his entry on Wikipedia, Maazel, was an American conductor, violinist and composer. Making … [Read more…]