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…]
This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7 in E Major (WAB 107) is Vienna-born Roberto Paternostro (1957?-), another person about whom I knew nothing and of whom I had never heard until I started this project. I first encountered the mysterious Mr. Paternostro (the box set contains zero information about him…an there’s scant … [Read more…]
Happy New Year! This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 6 in A Major (WAB 106) is Vienna-born Roberto Paternostro (1957?-), another person about whom I knew nothing and of whom I had never heard until I started this project. And, truth be told, I still know very little about him since there’s scant … [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…]
My “office” this morning (at least for the first 2-3 hours of the day) is, once again, Baker Book House – the largest bookstore in the Midwest, server of delicious coffee, maker of scones so delectable you’d swear they were not scones at all; rather, French pastry, and keeper of hours from 7am to 11pm, … [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 Vienna-born Roberto Paternostro (1957?-), another person about whom I knew nothing and of whom I had never heard until I started this project. And, truth be told, still know very little about since there’s … [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…]