Tuesday, September 18, 2012

As promised..."Marie Lamb, The Chatterbox!"


As promised in several places, I am delighted to share my portrait! It was painted by (who else?) Jerome Witkin. Mr. Witkin decided to paint me after I interviewed him for WCNY-FM in September of 2011; the offer was unexpected, but I took it, and it changed my life...no exaggeration!  Jerome worked on the painting in the fall of 2011 and in the spring of 2012. He suggested that I borrow it for display at WCNY-FM, and of course, I accepted such a generous offer! When I went to hear Jerome's talk about Karl Schrag at S.U. on September 18th of this year, I was surprised to learn that he had the painting ready for me to take back to the radio station! Jerome and one of his students got the painting into the back seat of my car, and it just barely made it in there! The painting's title is "Marie Lamb, The Chatterbox." Its title, the chattering wind-up false teeth, and the radio in the background are humorous references to my quarter-century in public radio. The photo does not do justice to this magnificent painting, which is on a pretty grand scale!  However, I hope you enjoy it, and words are not enough to express my gratitude to Jerome, not just for this incredible painting, but for his wonderful friendship and support, the greatest gifts of all!


P.S.: This photo of me with the portrait was taken on September 27th by one of our WCNY ReadOut volunteers, Patty Wilkowski, who has been following the progress of this project from the beginning!  I had a set of wind-up teeth on my desk, so we got a plate from the station kitchen and turned the teeth loose while Patty got the picture!  

Monday, September 17, 2012

Download link for DXing with Cumbre #734


Hello!  Here's the download link for DXing with Cumbre show #734: https://rapidshare.com/files/816583276/CUMBRE734.MP3

Thanks for waiting, and enjoy!  

Monday, September 10, 2012

Remembering 9/11: "Taken" by Jerome Witkin

For 9/11, I am sharing a picture of Jerome Witkin's multi-panel painting called "Taken." As Jerome has mentioned in interviews, he had a cousin who was a first responder in New York on that day. She died of cancer after inhaling the chemical-laden dust and debris while working to save lives at the World Trade Center. He did this monumental work in tribute to her, to the other first responders, and to all whose lives were taken on that fateful day. As Jerome himself said in a 2010 talk at Indiana University, "It is a privilege to paint such difficult things." You can hear Jerome Witkin discussing this powerful work, and his art in general, in this WCNY Arts Talk interview from September 2011 at https://soundcloud.com/marie-lamb/jeromewitkin091111  There is also some more about it here: http://imagejournal.org/imageupdate/35_031001.htm  This small photo does not really do justice to this large-scale work, but I am sharing it here today to remember Jerome's cousin and all the others who died 11 years ago on this date, or in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Violinist Odin Rathnam announces new concert series in Harrisburg!


I got this news today from violinist Odin Rathnam, who is the former concertmaster of the Harrisburg Symphony and a noted concert violinist who is also known for his work with the West Branch Festival and Academy in the Catskills.  The concert series mentioned below is of special interest to our friends and readers in Pennsylvania, although this is also within a few hours drive of New York State.  Best of luck to Odin, the HSO, and the other participants in the series!
September 10th, 2012: Former Harrisburg Symphony Concertmaster Odin Rathnam announces new "Classical Passion Series" at the Forum in Harrisburg, Pa.

Odin Rathnam, the former concertmaster of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, has announced a new benefit concert series at the Forum, titled “Classical Passion”.

The series of three concerts benefits the Else Borges Foundation for Arts Initiatives, as well as other local non-profit organizations. Mr. Rathnam made a promise to Harrisburg audiences this Spring that he would continue to bring both Symphony subscribers and the broader community the music they’ve come to expect from him, during his distinguished 21 year tenure as concertmaster of the HSO. This concert series fulfills that promise.

Classical Passion kicks off on Sunday, October 28, 2012 at 3 pm , with a recital featuring Odin Rathnam and the world famous collaborative pianist Robert Koenig. The program includes Stravinsky’s Suite Italienne (the opener for Rathnam’s critically acclaimed 1993 Lincoln Center debut) Mozart Sonata in B Flat Major, K.454, Henri Wieniawski’s lush “Legende” and Pablo de Sarasate’s virtuosic “Zigeunerweisen”.

The second program “Odin Rathnam & Friends, an Afternoon of Chamber Music “ takes place Sunday, March 17, 2013 at 3 pm, and includes the monumental quintets of both Schumann and Brahms. Rathnam is joined on stage by Koenig again, as well as distinguished colleagues from the United States and Europe.

The inaugural season of the “Classical Passion Series” comes to a stirring climax on Sunday, June 23, 2013, when Rathnam, Pro Musicis Ensemble, conductor Gregory Woodbridge and top young talents from the region and beyond work intensively for a week, side by side, to bring “Fire and Ice- Eight Seasons of Vivaldi and Piazzolla” to the Harrisburg Audience. Rathnam made highly successful debuts with the Randers Chamber Orchestra in November/December of 2011, playing and conducting these works for three concerts in Denmark, just before receiving the DES Cultural Prize in Copenhagen. He was immediately re-engaged by the Randers Chamber Orchestra for the ‘13-‘14 season.

“I have enjoyed many fruitful and inspiring collaborations with Gregory Woodbridge over recent seasons.” Rathnam says . “His musicianship, combined with a strong sense of how to work with young artists is critical to this concert , which culminates the eight day training program .” Area students will have the opportunity to audition for the program, which will ultimately select a total of 17 students to participate, for the nominal tuition fee of $300 for the entire 8 day program. There will be master classes in addition to the rehearsals and sectionals for the program, allowing students to explore their solo repertoire under the guidance of the distinguished artists leading them. “Students will be invited to audition on the basis of recommendations from area teachers and artists,” Rathnam adds. “We are currently selecting our artist faculty, which I am certain will inspire the students, and ensure that June 23rd’s program represents a true culmination of this first season of concerts.“ Vivaldi’s Seasons are a mainstay of the concert repertoire. Rathnam gave highly praised performances of them with the HSO in 2006, and recorded them in 2008 with the Pro Musicis Ensemble, conducted by Stephen Gunzenhauser. Piazzolla’s “Four Seasons of Buenos Aires “ have become a sensation worldwide, exploring the seasons through the eyes and ears of Astor Piazzolla’s unique “Tango Nuevo” style. The version being performed is the arrangement of Desyatnikov, originally created for violinist Gidon Kremer. “This is music of incredible rhythms and tremendous emotional tension,” adds Rathnam.

“These three concerts really serve two main purposes. In 2008, after the sudden death of my beloved mother, Else Borges, I created the Else Borges Foundation for Arts Initiatives, to honor the memory of her charitable philosophies. Since that time, we have disbursed over $17,000 to music students from our region and beyond, for summer study. These concerts aim to replenish scholarship funds and guarantee new disbursements for projects in the future. Several of the participating students in the final program have been recipients of grants, helping them attend West Branch International Festival and Academy, Charles Castleman’s Quartet Program , the Academia de Verao in Portugal and master classes with Odin Rathnam in Silkeborg, Denmark.” Secondly, when I announced my departure from the Harrisburg Symphony, I made a promise to keep bringing the art I love to this community, just in new and exciting ways. I hope this new series, as well as my solo appearances with the orchestras of Hershey and the West Shore help to fulfill that pledge! In addition, we have decided to make gifts this season to three other regional non-profits from the area, the Cultural Enrichment Fund, the World Surgical Foundation, and Harrisburg Habitat for Humanity. We at the EBF believe in the Arts’ roles in supporting larger human causes, and wanted to show solidarity with other groups that are doing important work here and worldwide.”

Rathnam began his historic tenure as concertmaster of the HSO in November of 1991. He is credited by many for leading a period of tremendous development of the string sound of that ensemble and its musical development, serving under three music directors, performing concerti of Mendelssohn, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Korngold, Haydn, as well as virtuosic show pieces by Sarasate, Ravel, Chausson, Paganini, Kreisler, and more. His tenure attracted top classmates and colleagues from Curtis, Juilliard and other leading conservatories to join the burgeoning ensemble, where his enthusiasm and commitment to the HSO’s reputation and development also served as an anchor for the orchestra during two consecutive conductor searches.

For more information on the concerts and to purchase tickets online or donate online, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/
 and search for Odin Rathnam. For information on how to support the Else Borges Foundation for Arts Initiatives, you may visit http://www.elseborges.org/
 . To follow Odin Rathnam’s concert activities and more , visit his official Facebook page , “Violinist Odin Rathnam”

Jerome Witkin to present gallery talk on Karl Schrag exhibition on Tuesday, 9/18


(This news is from the S.U. Art Galleries.  For all the Jerome Witkin fans in Central New York and beyond who follow his doings on this blog, you're invited to attend!  Please come and give our "J-Man" a good crowd!  Thanks, and hope to see you there--Marie)

Jerome Witkin, Professor in the Department of Art at Syracuse University, will open the 2012-2013 Syracuse University Art Galleries lecture series at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 18, in the SUArt Galleries in the Shaffer Art Building.  Witkin on Schrag: A Conversation with Jerome Witkin focuses on the current exhibition Karl Schrag: Memories and Premonitions, on display until October 21.

A student of Karl Schrag’s at Cooper Union College, Witkin will present a gallery talk and walk visitors through the exhibition of prints, drawings and paintings.  A unique component of the gallery talk will be Jerome Witkin’s perspective on Karl Schrag as a mentor and teacher, as well as an artist.  Considered one of America’s most important living figurative artists, Witkin celebrates over 40 years of teaching, the majority of which has been at Syracuse University.

The exhibition Karl Schrag: Memories and Premonitions is the first major examination of the artist’s work since his death in 1995.  The exhibition includes 70 original works of art by the influential artist, including paintings, prints and drawings.  Curated by SUArt Galleries Director Domenic Iacono, the exhibition highlights numerous prints from the Syracuse University Art Collection, as well as loaned work consisting of paintings and drawings from the artist’s family.

Witkin on Schrag: A Conversation with Jerome Witkin is free and open to the public. Complete information and related programming is available by visiting the SUArt Galleries website at suart.syr.edu.  Parking is available on campus in the Q4 lot. Please notify the attendant you are here for the lecture in the SUArt Galleries.

About The SUArt Galleries
The SUArt Galleries strives to provide the best possible environment for art appreciation and scholarly development. No photography will be allowed in exhibition spaces. For approved, press-ready images, please visit the exhibition website. 

The SUArt Galleries, accessible through the Shaffer Art Building on the SU campus, enhance the cultural environment of SU and the Syracuse area through meaningful educational experiences and encounters with the University's permanent collection and traveling exhibitions. It is the main campus venue for the visual arts and home of the University's extensive permanent collection. The facility hosts a variety of temporary and permanent exhibitions throughout the year. The SUArt Galleries is a member of SU's Coalition of Museum and Art Centers (CMAC).  There is a link to more information at http://www.syr.edu/news/articles/2012/suart-lectures-09-12.html  Also, our friends on Facebook can learn more, and invite their friends, at https://www.facebook.com/events/447993801910511/ 

(UPDATE: Allow me to wish Jerome and his twin brother, noted photographer Joel-Peter Witkin, a happy 73rd birthday!  Marie Lamb, 9/13/12)


Sunday, September 2, 2012

Where to find Cumbre on Facebook and Yahoo Groups

For those who would like to participate in our Facebook group, Facebook page, and Yahoo group, here's where to find us!

To join the Cumbre DX Facebook group, you can request membership at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cumbredx/ It is an open group, but applicants must be approved by me, Mark Coady, or Mauno Ritola before you join.  One of us will usually get you approved ASAP.

There is also a Cumbre DX/DXing with Cumbre Facebook page, which mostly has show updates but which also welcomes your loggings and postings; just click "like" at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cumbre-DXDXing-with-Cumbre/132098430209350?sk=wall

DXing with Cumbre has an associated Yahoo group, and this is the ONLY group on Yahoo that is officially affiliated with the DXWC radio program. Mark, Mauno and I run this one, too. If you have a Yahoo ID, you can sign up at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dxingwithcumbre/ 

Hope to see even more of you -- 73, Marie