Day 155: Symphony No. 9 in D minor (Karajan)

My listening post this morning is my happy place – the second floor of our local library. When I die, I want to be buried in a library. Or a coffin shaped like a book. Books and music are my two biggest passions. So me being here, with Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker, … [Read more…]

Day 154: Symphony No. 9 in D minor (Karajan)

My listening post this morning is the Restaurant-Chain-That-Must-Not-Be-Named where I am listening to a table of five guys conduct a Bible study, while I sip my Light Roast coffee, and eat a twice-toasted bagel with cream cheese. Even though it’s 7:38am, it’s still pitch black outside. I prefer being here at 6am. But I had … [Read more…]

Day 137: Symphony No. 8 in F major (Karajan)

My listening post this morning is nowhere special. What I’m hoping is special is this performance from German conductor Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989), Berliner Philharmoniker, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 in F major. I encountered Maestro Karajan’s legendary 1977 cycle seven times previously, on… Day 11. Rating: “Meh!” Day 29. Rating: “Huzzah!” Day 47. Rating: … [Read more…]

Day 136: Symphony No. 8 in F major (Karajan)

This morning, my listening post is the cafeteria of a local grocery store chain, a Starbucks Blonde Roast (“That’ll be a pour over. Is that okay?”) and a blueberry muffin (“It’s good warmed up a little”) on my right. Nothing but a sunny day streaming in on my left. The sun. Wow. What is that … [Read more…]

Day 119: Symphony No. 7 in A major (Karajan)

My listening post this morning is Baker Book House, the largest theological book store in the Midwest. This is an amazing place to work, get coffee, eat a scone, and browse rows and rows and rows and rows of books, especially used books. Anyway, here I am listing to Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989), … [Read more…]

Day 118: Symphony No. 7 in A major (Karajan)

My listening post this morning overlooks the early November snow and the increasingly more iced-over lake. Global Warming, my ass. Anyway, as I sit here freezing my aforementioned ass off, I’m listening to Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989) from his legendary 1963 Beethoven cycle, Berliner Philharmoniker, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A major. … [Read more…]

Day 82: Symphony No. 5 in C minor (Karajan)

My office today is the balcony, sans flowers and pots, I not only have a great view, but a very find lunch to boot: a ginger-turmeric kombucha, a turkey wrap sandwich, and a Jonagold apple that we picked ourselves a week or so ago. Classical music and a delicious lunch. What could be better? Not … [Read more…]

Day 64: Symphony No. 4 in B flat Major (Karajan)

My office this morning is, once again, Chick-fil-A – one of my favorite restaurants, especially at breakfast time. It’s quiet, not crowded, and they serve (“My pleasure!”) a fine cuppa Joe. I like their cheesy advertisements, too. All that cow stuff. (Cows telling people to “Eat Mor Chikin”.) It’s corny. But I think it’s clever … [Read more…]

Day 47: Symphony No. 3 in E flat Major (Karajan)

After trying and failing to find an “office” location this morning, I ended up right back where I started: home. So, I made my own coffee. I ate a bowl of home-made chicken noodle soup. And I gazed out at the ducks meandering on the lake out back. In the background, just slightly out of … [Read more…]

Day 46: Symphony No. 3 in E flat Major (Karajan)

My listening spot of choice this morning is, once again, our balcony. Truth be told, it’s my favorite place to listen to music and write. But it means I’ll have to drive farther to get to my office when I’m done; whereas, if I was at Panera I’d be a mile and a half from … [Read more…]