Day 152: Symphony No. 9 in D minor (Haitink)

With the Penny Marshall film Big playing in the background, I’m drinking a kombucha, eating a Caesar salad, and listening to… Dutch conductor Bernard Haitink (1929- ), the London Symphony Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor. I’ve encountered Maestro Haitink eight times previous to this evening, on… Day 8. Rating:”Meh!” Day 26. … [Read more…]

Day 134: Symphony No. 8 in F major (Haitink)

I love getting up early. In fact, the earlier the better. I have a specific morning ritual that goes like this: I wake up at 5:01 (I always set my alarm for the :01 after whatever time; I like the specific-ness of it). I sit in meditation for 20-30 minutes. I make and imbibe 2-3 … [Read more…]

Day 80: Symphony No. 5 in C minor (Haitink)

This morning, sitting on the porch sans flowers (they’ve been ripped out and the pots made ready for winter storage), I listen to Dutch conductor Bernard Haitink (1929- ), the London Symphony Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor. October is my favorite month. It’s the most colorful (at least, here in Michigan), … [Read more…]

Day 62: Symphony No. 4 in B flat Major (Haitink)

My office today is a nearby Barnes & Noble, a place I haven’t spent much time in lately because they don’t have what I like to buy: CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, and books that aren’t the latest NY Times Bestseller pablum. I used to love going to B&N when it was in its old location. Parking … [Read more…]

Day 26: Symphony No. 2 in D Major (Haitink)

This morning, as I munch on my Asiago bagel (toasted dark!) with plain cream cheese, and sip my quickly cooling Light Roast coffee at a restaurant-chain-that-must-not-be-named, I listen to Dutch conductor Bernard Haitink wave his baton before the London Symphony Orchestra, inwardly smiling smugly to myself knowing that I will be ticking off an item … [Read more…]