Day 85: Symphony No. 6 in A Major (Haitink)

Two things I enjoy quite a bit: an empty restaurant early in the morning…combined with an empty space online awaiting my next blog entry. I’m a morning person. No doubt about it. I love getting up well before the sun and going out somewhere to begin my day. So here I sit listening to Bruckner, … [Read more…]

Day 69: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major (Haitink)

Ladies and gents, this is what my wife and I encountered this morning at 6am when we pulled into the parking lot of a local restaurant to sit, sip some coffee, and listen to Haitink’s interpretation of Bruckner’s Fifth. Welcome to Hell – I mean, Michigan – in early December. This morning’s conductor of Anton … [Read more…]

Day 37: Symphony No. 3 in D Minor (Haitink)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 3 in D Minor (WAB 103), nicknamed “Wagner,” is Dutch conductor Bernard Haitink (1929-). The orchestra is Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. I encountered Mr. Haitink twice before: On Day 5 and on Day 21. In both cases, I was pleasantly surprised (to say the least). On Day 5, … [Read more…]

Day 21: Symphony No. 2 in C Minor (Haitink)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 2 in C Minor (WAB 102) is Bernard Haitink (1929-), a Dutch conductor and former violinist. I first encountered Mr. Haitink on Day 5 of my 144-day journey. On that day, I discovered Mr. Haitink conducted his first concert in 1954 – 62 years ago. I also … [Read more…]