Day 106: Symphony No. 7 in E Major (Masur)

Today is Martin Luther King Day in America. Given that, I believe it’s a good time to remind myself of Dr. King’s wisdom: Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time: the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Man must evolve … [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 104: Symphony No. 7 in E Major (Karajan)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7 in E Major (WAB 107) is Austrian Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989), one of the most highly respected conductors – and interpreters of Anton Bruckner’s music – who ever lived. In fact, I compared Maestro Karajan to Tolkien’s fantasy novel Lord of the Rings on Day 56 … [Read more…]

Day 103: Symphony No. 7 in E Major (Jochum)

Symphony No. 7 in E Major (WAB 107) is German-born Eugen Jochum (1902-1987), unarguably 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, on the Warner Classics label (I call it the “Green Box”), and another … [Read more…]

Day 102: Symphony No. 7 in E Major (Jochum)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7 in E Major (WAB 107) is German-born Eugen Jochum (1902-1987), unarguably one of the most highly respected interpreters of Anton Bruckner’s music who ever lived. I have two CD box sets featuring Maestro Jochum – this one, on the DG label (which I call the “White … [Read more…]

Day 101: Symphony No. 7 in E Major (Haitink)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7 in E Major (WAB 107) is Dutch conductor Bernard Haitink (1929-). The orchestra is Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. I first encountered Maestro Haitink on Day 5 , Symphony No. 1, of my 144-day project. Then again on Day 21, Symphony No. 2. And again on Day 37, … [Read more…]

Day 100: Symphony No. 7 in E Major (Gielen)

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…]

Day 99: Symphony No. 7 in E Major (Ahronovitch)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7 in E Major (WAB 107) is Soviet-born Israeli Yuri Ahronovitch (1932-2002). The orchestra is Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne. I’ve been listening to Bruckner’s symphonies for nearly 100 days (that’s over three months in people years), and this is the first time those names have come up. Also, … [Read more…]

Day 98: Symphony No. 7 in E Major (Chailly)

This morning’s conductor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7 in E Major (WAB 107) is Italian Riccardo Chailly (1953-). The orchestra is Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin. I had never heard of Riccardo Chailly before this project. So, the first time I listened to him was on October 4th, Day 2, Symphony No. 1. Then again on … [Read more…]

Day 97: Symphony No. 7 in E Major (Barenboim)

This morning, I begin a new cycle of Bruckner conductors (it’s about time!) all of of whom will show me what they’ve got as they interpret Bruckner’s Seventh. Because this is the start of a new cycle, I thought I’d see a familiar locale in a new way. This is the upper level of a … [Read more…]