My “office” this morning. Thanks to discussions today in the Anton Bruckner group on Facebook, I’ve changed my mind again about what I’m calling “Phase Two” of my Bruckner project. A Bruckner group member named Michael mentioned the late conductor Sergiu Celibdache and pointed out that even though Celibdache’s EMI box set was out of … [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 Michael Gielen (1927-). The orchestra is SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Frieburg. I first encountered Maestro Gielen on Day 4 of my 144-day project. On that day, he interpreted Symphony No. 1. … [Read more…]
If this blog were a TV series, I’d be celebrating my 100th episode today. There would be cake. And the entire cast. And the media. Cameras. Maybe a few hangers on and groupies. Maybe a few actor-wannabes sprinkled among the throng. For I’ve been blogging every day for 100 days, which deserves a “Huzzah!” just … [Read more…]
My “office” this morning. I didn’t leave home, partly because it’s Christmas Day and no restaurant is open. But mostly because it’s Christmas Day and I would rather brew my own cup of coffee, pop in the classic 1947 movie Miracle On 34th Street, and watch the sun rise over the lake out back while … [Read more…]
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…]
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 Michael Gielen (1927-). The orchestra is SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Frieburg. This is the fourth time I’ve found myself listening to Maestro Gielien. (Well, I didn’t exactly find myself listening to him. It’s … [Read more…]
This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 3 in D Minor (WAB 103), nicknamed “Wagner,” is German-born Michael Gielen (1927-). The orchestra is SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Frieburg. I encountered Mr. Gielen twice before: On Day 4 and on Day 20. On Day 4, I wrote this: This is an odd one for me. … [Read more…]
This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 2 in C Minor (WAB 102) is Michael Gielen (1927-), an Austrian conductor and composer with a very long and lauded career who just recently (2014) retired from conducting for health reasons. I first encountered Mr. Gielen on Day 4 of my 144-day journey. Of Bruckner’s Second … [Read more…]
This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 1 in C Minor is Michael Gielen (1927-), an Austrian conductor and composer with a very long and lauded career who just recently (2014) retired from conducting for health reasons. Gielen, like conductor Riccardo Chailly, chose Bruckner’s revised (1891) Vienna version of Symphony No. 1 in C … [Read more…]