sw corbett kicks (my) butt - now with photos July 30, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : cycling, add a commentWell, yesterday, returning from a ride down Barbur and out on the Springwater Corridor to the Sellwood Bridge and back, I was faced with a quandry: low-angle return, or high-angle return. Normally, I’d ride back over the Hawthorne Bridge, get over to Broadway, and ride back up Barbur for a steady, but low-gradient rise out of the city. Instead, I chose to tackle one of my scariest challenges: Corbett Avenue. I hope to add a photo of this fearsome hill tomorrow, but for today, here’s a look at the hill via my gps software (the excellent Ascent program for the Mac): (more…)
20th century classics July 29, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : music, recordings, 3commentsEMI has released a set of recordings from their huge back catalog devoted to major works (classics, if you will) of the previous century. There is a lot of great stuff to be found on these discs, including some definitive performances. Here’s a rundown and information on where to order or download:
Messiaen
Turangalila Symphony
Quartet for the End of Time
Theme and Variations for cello and piano
Hindemith
Symphony ‘Mathis der Maler’
Concert Music, op. 50
Der Schwanendreher for viola and orchestra
Symphonia Serena
Symphonic Metamorphosis
Nobilissima Visione
Nielsen
Symphony No. 5
Violin Concerto
Flute Concerto
Clarinet Concerto
Wind Quintet in A major
Dutilleux
Le Loup
Cello Concerto “Tout un Monde Lointain”
Violin Concerto “L’Arbe Des Songes”
Metaboles
The Shadows of Time
Symphony No. 2
You can find all of these albums available for download at iTunes here.
And physical CD’s for purchase at Arkiv Music here.
Also featured:
Prokofiev
Suk
Bartók
Schoenberg
the OSO’s ’secret weapon’ July 27, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : fundraising, the orchestra world, add a commentConductor Bill Eddins, music director of the Edmonton Symphony, (the previous post of OSO president Elaine Calder) has some high praise for Elaine, which should keep everyone’s eyes on the ball, namely that we’re trying to ensure a secure future for the Oregon Symphony, rather than sitting back and watching it die, bit by bit.
there’s a secret weapon that the Oregon Symphony has and it can be described in two words: Elaine Calder.
When I first went to the Edmonton Symphony Elaine was the Exec. If it wasn’t for her I doubt that the ESO would exist today, certainly not in it’s present form. Some of the words I’ve heard used in describing Elaine:
tough; tenacious; smart; etc., etc., etc. One word I NEVER heard anyone use when describing Elaine: incompetent.Elaine is one of those rare executives who simply cannot, will not let an institution die. She has the ability to quickly grasp a situation and chart a way out of it. Her recipes are not easy, and there are those who resist with all their might. But I would not bet against her and I have no doubt that a couple years down the road the Oregon Symphony will be in the black and thriving. She will make it happen by hook or by crook, and it will probably be her iron will that will prove the difference. In this way she’s got a lot in common with Margaret Thatcher, though I admit I like Elaine’s politics a whole lot better.
So, those of you who doubt the direction of the Oregon Symphony I offer this advice: shut up, sit down, and listen to the lady at the top. She’s worth listening to.
high mileage vehicle July 27, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : cycling, add a commentToday was a red letter day for me in my nascent cycling career - I hit the 122 mile mark for the week starting last Monday (the 21st). It’s great - my average speed is slowly climbing (to around 13 mph) and now a 30 mile day feels like a 10 mile day felt back in April or May. My next goal? I’m hoping to ride from Sunriver up to Mt. Bachelor and back on the orchestra’s day off. I’ll keep you posted.
editorial license July 25, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : fundraising, portland, the orchestra world, 3commentsDoubtless, many of you have seen (care of ArtsJournal.com and other online sources) the latest Portland Business Journal article about the imminent death of the Oregon Symphony. Well, the OSO is hardly dying, and to paraphrase an old saw, the reports of our demise are greatly exaggerated. (more…)
photo corner: st johns bridge, portland, oregon July 24, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : the orchestra world, add a comment
Orton sees a bridge | Originally uploaded by Zeb Andrews
click photo to enlarge
A great shot by Portland photographer Zeb Andrews of the landmark St. John’s Bridge in North Portland. Here’s his description of the photo:
Orton sees a bridge
Today is my day off of work, which means I spend at least a portion of it at the computer putting my digital archives in order, cleaning up old scans, organizing, and being reminded of some of the images I have. So since I have all this spare time today, ha, I figured I would post another picture of the St Johns Bridge. Mainly just because I have fallen behind on posting many images of this bridge, and secondly because it happens to be the folder I am working through at the moment.
This shot is the product of two slides, slightly overexposed to make them lighter, sandwiched together post-processing and then scanned in as a single image. Also known as the Orton effect. It can have some interesting effects, usually saturating colors and deepening contrast. Here I like how it made spot lights out of the street lights.
Anyway, taken on the south side of the bridge halfway up the hillside. I had to do some bushwhacking to find this little clearing in the trees. I was looking for a spot that gave me a view straight down the bridge, but I am not sure one exists. This is a nice vantage as well though.
Lake Oswego Ride July 22, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : cycling, add a commentHad a nice ride this afternoon of one of my favorite loops, which brings me from Garden Home out to Lake Oswego via Tryon Creek Park, then through downtown Lake O, Lake Grove, and over in to Tigard and back to Garden Home. A nice, rolling 21 miles on a perfect day for cycling!
columbus musicians’ blog July 19, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : the orchestra world, add a commentCheck out the new blog of the Columbia Symphony’s musicians - it’s a place to let your opinion be heard, give words of encouragement, or just check in for the latest news about the Columbus Symphony and their uncertain (for now) future.
http://symphonycolumbus.blogspot.com/
not your average concert July 14, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : appreciation/criticism, bloggers, chamber music, summer festivals, add a comment
James Bash, one of the nicest guys you could ever hope to meet, met up with a patron at a recent Chamber Music Northwest concert who contributed in a significant way to his concert experience - by vomiting all over his back! Yech!
Maybe CMNW should have air sick bags tucked into their seats for upcoming concerts?
You can read all about it (and about how the concert went) by clicking here.
mount st helens July 12, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : miscellaneous, photography, add a commentWe took a nice outing to see Mt. St. Helens on Friday. We hadn’t been for perhaps a dozen years, and the amount of regrowth in the blast zone was pretty amazing. Also evident was some serious rebuilding of the mountain through the latest eruptive phase (recently completed) of four years.
click on photo to enlarge
