Day 141: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor (Skrowaczewski)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s unfinished Symphony No. 9 in D Minor WAB 109 (dedicated “to the beloved God”) is Stanislaw Skrowaczewski (1923-), the famed Polish-born artist who even has a web site with a cool name: Seeking The Infinite, which is also the title of a very fine biography about him by Dr. … [Read more…]

Day 140: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor (Rogner)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s unfinished Symphony No. 9 in D Minor WAB 109 (dedicated “to the beloved God”) 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 from Amazon … [Read more…]

Day 139: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor (Paternostro)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s unfinished Symphony No. 9 in D Minor WAB 109 (dedicated “to the beloved God”) is Vienna-born Roberto Paternostro (1957?-). I first heard the mysterious Mr. Paternostro (the box set contains zero information about him…and there’s scant info about him online) on Day 11, when he interpreted Symphony No. 1. … [Read more…]

Day 136: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor (Karajan)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s unfinished Symphony No. 9 in D Minor WAB 109 (dedicated “to the beloved God”) 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, left, reads “9” by coincidence, … [Read more…]

Day 135: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor (Jochum)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s unfinished Symphony No. 9 in D Minor WAB 109 (dedicated “to the beloved God”) is German-born Eugen Jochum (1902-1987), without question one of the most highly respected interpreters of Anton Bruckner’s music who ever lived. I own two CD box sets with performances conducted by Jochum – this one, … [Read more…]

Day 131: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor (Wand)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s unfinished Symphony No. 9 in D Minor WAB 109 (dedicated “to the beloved God”) is German-born Gunter Wand (1912-2002). The orchestra is new to me, even though I’ve heard a lot of Wand and a lot of symphonies in the past 130 days: Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart des SWR. Back when … [Read more…]

Day 130: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor (Chailly)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s unfinished Symphony No. 9 in D Minor WAB 109 (dedicated “to the beloved God”) is Italian Riccardo Chailly (1953-). The orchestra is the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. I first heard Maestro Chailly on October 4th, Day 2, Symphony No. 1. Then again on Day 18, Symphony No. 2. Then again … [Read more…]

Day 129: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor (Barenboim)

This morning begins the final leg of my 144-day exploration of the nine major symphonies Bruckner wrote. However, on Day 145 I will do something I didn’t originally plan to do – go back to Symphony No. 1, with seven more conductors from seven additional CD box sets that I had omitted (intentionally or inadvertently) … [Read more…]

Day 116: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor (Gielen)

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…]

Day 80: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major (Wand)

Today is the last day for me to listen to Bruckner’s Fifth. Tomorrow starts a brand new symphony, Bruckner’s Sixth. But that’s tomorrow. 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 Gunter … [Read more…]