Day 156: Symphony No. 9 in D minor (Klemperer)

My listening post this evening is in shambles. There’s wrapping paper, tissue paper, presents to wrap, and even a glass of white wine standing ready in case I get overwhelmed by it all. My wife is in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on the gingerbread houses we’ll give as gifts Christmas Day. (They’re spectacular, … [Read more…]

Day 138: Symphony No. 8 in F major (Klemperer)

My listening post this afternoon is in front of the Christmas tree (now fully decked out) overlooking a snow-covered lake on December 5th, 2018. The temperature outside is 29 degrees Fahrenheit (that’s -1.6 Celsius for all you non-U.S. citizens). I have no idea what the temperature is inside. But I guarantee it’s not 29 degrees … [Read more…]

Day 120: Symphony No. 7 in A major (Klemperer)

My listening post today is in the living room while the Disney movie Tangled plays in the background. The background is not for me. It’s for my wife. She’s in the kitchen cleaning, organizing, arranging (her love languages), and preparing for Thanksgiving dinner later this week. We are hosting it again this year. I’m sitting … [Read more…]

Day 102: Symphony No. 6 in F major (Klemperer)

My office this morning is, once again, the cafeteria in the D&W food store. It’s kind of a lonely place at this time of the morning. But I like it that way. This morning, as I sip a Blonde Roast (“That’ll be a pour over. Is that okay?”) from Starbucks, I’m listening to German conductor … [Read more…]

Day 84: Symphony No. 5 in C minor (Klemperer)

This morning, I find myself listening to German conductor Otto Klemperer (1885-1973), Philharmonia Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor. I’ve experienced Maestro Klemperer four times previous to this morning, on… Day 12. Rating: “Huzzah!” Day 30. Rating: “Meh!” Day 48. Rating: “Huzzah!” Day 66. Rating: “Meh!” Two “Huzzah!” and two “Meh!” ratings. … [Read more…]

Day 48: Symphony No. 3 in E flat Major (Klemperer)

This morning, I am sitting at a nearby Chick-fil-A restaurant. The sun has just risen. The sky is overcast. The time is 7:33am. My wife joined me this morning because, technically, we’re both on vacation for the next few days. And yet here we are – me at my blog and she and her laptop … [Read more…]

Day 30: Symphony No. 2 in D Major (Klemperer)

In this Beethoven project, I first encountered German conductor Otto Klemperer (1885-1973) on Day 12. If you want to know some of Klemperer’s background (including his famous actor son), let your mouse do the walking over to that entry. This morning, I’m listening to him conduct Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 in D Major. How does … [Read more…]

Day 12: Symphony No. 1 in C Major (Klemperer)

When I explored the symphonic works of Anton Bruckner a few years ago, I came across Otto Klemperer (1885-1973) and was surprised to discover a lot of fun thing about him, first and foremost of which is that he was considered one of the great conductors of the 20th century. I had never heard of … [Read more…]