Day 143: Symphony No. 8 in F major (Wand)

My listening post this morning is in the cafeteria of one of the local grocery store chains. At this hour, there are only two older gentlemen sharing this space with me. There was a third guy. But he left. Shortly after I took this picture, these two cats left, too. And now I’m here alone. … [Read more…]

Day 125: Symphony No. 7 in A major (Wand)

Today is Thanksgiving Day in America. On this day, we often make a big meal – usually consisting of turkey and stuffing and mashed potatoes and gravy and pies of all kinds – and we eat this feast with family and/or friends. Ostensibly, we take time today to give thanks for whomever or whatever we … [Read more…]

Day 89: Symphony No. 5 in C minor (Wand)

My work station this morning is under the Golden Arches. That’s right: McDonald’s, the world-famous restaurant chain known for its French fries, Big Macs, Egg McMuffins…and food seemingly extruded from the same stuff so that it tastes the same and looks the same the world over. I decided to stop here for an hour or … [Read more…]

Day 71: Symphony No. 4 in B flat Major (Wand)

This morning, I find myself listening to German conductor Gunter Wand (1912-2002) and the North German Radio Symphony Orchestra playing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 in B flat Major. I first encountered Maestro Wand in my Beethoven project on… Day 17. Rating: “Huzzah!” Day 35. Rating: “Huzzah!” Day 53. Rating: “Huzzah!” Three “Huzzah!” ratings in a … [Read more…]

Day 68: Symphony No. 4 in B flat Major (Monteux)

This morning, under mostly cloudy skies and a temperature of just 56 degrees F., I’m glad to be inside, in another of my Happy Places: a Chick-fil-A restaurnt. But I’m not alone. I have my ninja to keep me company. I like to think he’s a friend. But he’s a ninja. So, like our cat, … [Read more…]

Day 17: Symphony No. 1 in C Major (Wand)

This morning (Day 17 of my 18-day exploration of Beethoven’s First), under storm-threatening skies, I sit once again at Panera Restaurant – a place to which I keep swearing I’ll never return, although the reasons why seem to escape me at the moment. Sloppy service, so-so food, and a Light Roast coffee pot that seems … [Read more…]