New and old graphic novels arrivals for summer 2009

            

These titles arrived over the summer and are part of our adult graphic novels collection.  Place a hold or come by the main library to browse the collection.

Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli
Well reviewed new story of a prickly architect who has never actually had one of his buildings made.  As his life falls apart, he escapes to start over.

Planetary by Warren Ellis
Check out Ellis’ take on superheroes in his Planetary series.  Great artwork by superstar artist John Cassaday as well.

Punisher Max V. 1 by Garth Ennis
Ennis takes the Punisher, Marvel’s ani-hero, to even darker places in this noir series.

Echo V. 1 by Terry Moore
The Strangers in Paradise creator delves deaper into science fiction and consipiracy with this new series about an experimental weapon and the unfortunate woman who it graphs itself to.

Red Star by Chris Gossett
Soviet mythology and science fiction collide in this interesting epic comic.

Oregon Symphony Schedule 2009-10

The 2009-2010 Oregon Symphony Season is almost upon us.  Below is the schedule with links to those recordings that we have available to listen to.  Click on a link to place a hold on the item.

Oct 3-5, 2009
Parker Plays Brahms
Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1
Bartók: Divertimento
Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 1

Oct 17-19, 2009
Bach, Beethoven and Bernstein
Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 4
Bernstein: Symphony No. 2 for Piano and Orchestra, “The Age of Anxiety”
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7

Nov. 21-23
A Mozart Wind ensemble
Mendelssohn: The Fair Melusina Overture
Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante for flute, oboe, bassoon and horn
Dutilleux: Symphony No. 2, “The Double ”
Berlioz: Le Corsaire Overture

Dec. 5-7
Yefim Bronfman plays Bartok
Haydn: Symphony No. 1
Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 2
Ives: Three Places in New England
Haydn: Symphony No. 104, “London”

Jan. 9-11, 2010
Schumann and Shostakovich
Ginastera: Glosses on Themes of Pablo Casals
Schumann: Piano Concerto
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 6

Jan. 23-25
Dvorak’s violin concerto
Martinu: Thunderbolt P-47
Dvorák: Violin Concerto
Respighi: boutique fantasque, ballet after Rossini

Feb 6-8
Prokofiev and Sibelius
Wagner: Siegfried Idyll
Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 1
Sibelius: Symphony No. 2

Mar. 6-8
Rossini’s Stabat Mater
Schubert: Symphony No. 6, “Little C major”
Rossini: Stabat Mater

April 10-12
Pinchas Zukerman Plays Brahms
Forsyth: Jubilee Overture
Beethoven: Symphony No. 1
Brahms: Concerto for Violin and Cello

April 24-26
Midori Plays Sibelius
Sibelius: Canzonetta
Sibelius: Violin Concerto
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5

May 8-10, 2010
Dvorak’s Cello Concerto
Barber: Music for a Scene from Shelley
Dvorák: Cello Concerto
Kernis: Newly Drawn Sky
Bernstein: On the Waterfront Symphonic Suite

May 22-24, 2010
Mahler’s Titan
Lindberg: Purcell Variation
Britten: Violin Concerto
Mahler: Symphony No. 1, “The Titan”

New classical music just in time for the Bach Festival

We have several new classical recordings that arrived the past few months that classical fans might be interested in.  There are several Bach recordings in this group, so place a hold and bring one home to listen to before the Bach Festival arrives on the 27th.

Bach Cantatas by Natalie Dessay
Soprano Dessay and composer Emmanuelle Haim tackle Bach’s Cantatas in this meeting of frequent collaborators.

Bach Partitas Nos. 2-4by Murray Perahia
A master of counterpoint and harmony, Perahia returns to form with this recording, named one of the best of 2008 by Amazon.

Bach Violin Concertos by Julia Fischer
One of the best newcomers in classical music dedicates an entire recording to Bach. 

Bel Canto Spectacular by Juan Diego Florez
Florez, a much sought after tenor, gathers an all star group of collaborators for his latest recording.

String Quartet of Ravel, Debussy and Faure by Ebene Quartet
This quartet of versatile musicians is well known for their flexibility and creativity.

Haydn & Hummel: Trumpet Concertos by Alison Balsom
Trumpet concertos from one of todays premiere trumpet players.

Homage by James Ehnes
Violinist Ehnes performs some of the greatest pieces for violin on 12 of the greatest violins ever made.

Musical Banquet by Nigel North & Monika Mauch
Soprano Mauch and Luntenist North record this set of traditional lute songs from around Europe.

Shostakovich Symphony No. 10 in E Minor by London Philharmonic Orchestra
Taken from a 1986 recording at the Royal Albert Hall in London, this represents a standout performance of one of Shastakovich’s best works.

Netherland is on President Obama’s nightstand

President Obama is doing his summer reading and talking about how much he likes Netherlandby Joseph O’Neill.  Netherland is a book about New York’s multicultural nature after 9-11.  It follows Dutch banker Hans after the dissolution of his marriage as he reconnects with the sport of cricket.  He meets Chuck, a West Indian entrepreneur, who introduces him to the vibrant, marginal cultures around New York.  Hans struggles with his own tragedies as he attempts to rebuild his life.  His arc mirrors that of the New York he discovers.  Find out if this book warrants all the attention by selecting the link above and placing a hold.

Is Game of Thrones headed for HBO?

While patiently waiting for the next book in the Song of Ice and Fire series, I am excited about the possibility of HBO filming the series.  A pilot is being developed and there is even some casting news with Peter Dinklage said to be playing the role of Tyrion Lannister.  If you haven’t read this series yet, it is a great option for summer reading.

This epic fantasy series actually finds a lot of inspiration in history, particularly the War of the Roses.  The Stark family holds court in the north while the Lannisters scheme to hold onto the throne in the south as they set into motion a dangerous game that threatens to drag the entire Seven Kingdoms into a lengthy struggle for power.  This is a marvelous book that is only dampened by the fact that the author is still working on book five.