Day 76: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major (Rogner)

My “office” this morning is home with Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season 1, Episode 1 (“Encounter to Farpoint“) on in the background. For the record, I think Next Gen is one of the most heavy-handed, over-acted of the Star Trek franchises. It’s enjoyable viewing, at times. But it’s cringe-worthy, too. Commander Riker is a … [Read more…]

Day 75: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major (Paternostro)

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…]

Day 74: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major (Masur)

My “office” this morning is one of the many Panera restaurants in town. For the record, I dislike Panera immensely. I think their service is terrible, their food is mediocre, and their music is loud and obnoxious. Yet, they’re nearly the only game in town at 6am. So, this is where I often find myself. … [Read more…]

Day 73: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major (Maazel)

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 American Lorin Maazel (1930-2014). I had never heard of Maazel prior to the start of my 144-day project 73 days ago. I’m not going to lie. … [Read more…]

Day 72: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major (Karajan)

My “office” first thing this morning – the restaurant near my actual office. Sometimes, I really enjoy just being out and about, having coffee (or, as is the case this morning, Greek Gods yogurt – Black Cherry flavor – and Smart Water), watching people, listening to Bruckner, and typing these words. My favorite thing to … [Read more…]

Day 71: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major (Jochum)

Today’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 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 conducted by … [Read more…]

Day 70: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major (Jochum)

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 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 conducted … [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 68: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major (Gielen)

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…]

Day 67: Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major (Wand)

Before I type a word about my project this morning, I need to express my sorrow at the passing of Greg Lake, the “L” of ELP, and one of the founding members of King Crimson. I interviewed Greg at length via phone in the mid to late 1990s. I met him in London, and then … [Read more…]