San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
CLASSICAL MUSIC
It was a year of breakthroughs and variations as organizations and artists found ways to thrive under difficult circumstances
In what most would agree was, at best, a bumpy and unpredictable year, San Diego’s classical music scene not only prevailed but flourished. In fact, earlier this month, Musical America Worldwide — the nation’s oldest and most prestigious classical music publication — included two San Diegans among its “30 Professionals of the Year: The Pandemic: Meeting the Moment” honorees. Congratulations to San Diego Symphony CEO Martha Gilmer and Mainly Mozart CEO Nancy Laturno. Thanks to them and the other indefatigable musicloving San Diegans for facing the challenges and providing wonderful sonic options. Here are five of the many memorable moments from 2021.
1
San Diego Symphony’s Rady Shell at Jacobs Park Many eagerly anticipated the San Diego Symphony’s August gala at its new gem of an outdoor venue, the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. But the event exceeded expectations as the organization’s music director, Rafael Payare (who first appeared in dramatic silhouette), led the enthused orchestra in its first live performance in 16 months. The excellent acoustics and panoramic bayside views at The Shell, a monumental effort spearheaded by Gilmer, will be enjoyed for years to come. Guest artists for the gala included French pianist Jean-yves Thibaudet playing Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” cellist Alisa Weilerstein performing Saint-saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 1, and bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green showcasing opera classics by Rossini and Mozart.
2
David’s Harp Foundation
David’s Harp Foundation in East Village got a huge surprise in June: an unsolicited $1 million gift from billionaire philanthropist Mackenzie Scott.
Co-founded by Brandon Steppe in 2009, David’s Harp provides free recording studio time, technical training and mentorship to at-risk youths. The nonprofit rewards those whose behavior and school grades improve with extra studio time. Joseph Mack, the foundation’s director of programming, told the Union-tribune shortly after hearing the news: “Tears were coming down Brandon’s face, and I literally fell down on my knees and cried.”
3
Steven Schick
Since the mid-1950s, the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus has offered musical excellence and bold repertoire, performing at the University of California San Diego’s Mandeville Auditorium. With a small staff and a group of about 200 volunteer musicians and singers, it has enjoyed enduring success. A large part of that has been due to its multitalented and intrepid music director and conductor, Steven Schick, who has been associated with the symphony for more than 30 years. Schick will step down at the end of the 2021-22 season as its music director after 15 years in that position. The UC San Diego music professor and renowned percussionist will remain connected as he becomes the La Jolla Symphony’s first director emeritus. In related news, the symphony named San Diego University’s Arian Khaefi as its interim choral director for this season and also signed a three-year contract with its current executive director, Stephanie Weaver Yankee.
4
La Jolla Music Society’s Summerfest
In 2020, the La Jolla Music Society reduced its annual Summerfest to six livestream programs because of the pandemic. But in 2021, the arts organization — led by CEO Todd Schultz, Artistic Director Leah Rosenthal and Summerfest Music Director Inon Barnatan — presented 16 live concerts, with several also livestreamed. Despite artists’ changing schedules, a shorter planning period and the uncertainties of COVID, Summerfest’s lineup was stellar and its programming admirably diverse. The two Takeover @ The JAI concerts were curated by the boundaryblurring, Latin Grammywinning composer Gabriela Lena Frank. Only one of the 16 scheduled concerts at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center was canceled — due to a featured (and vaccinated) artist’s positive COVID test — but the rest of Summerfest continued successfully.
5
Mainly Mozart
In 2021, Mainly Mozart CEO Nancy Laturno continued the drive-in parking lot concerts that garnered the organization national headlines last year. The nonprofit presented several dual orchestral performances for audiences in cars at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The Los Angeles Philharmonic teamed with the San Francisco Symphony in February, while the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra performed with Washington, D.C.’S National Symphony in April. Then, from June 11-19, Michael Francis conducted the Mainly Mozart All-star Orchestra at the open-air Del Mar Surf Cup Sports Park. At the same venue, a five-day concert series was conducted by former Del Mar resident David Chan, who also co-led the the February and April concerts. Mainly Mozart’s September series began with a concert marking the 20th anniversary of 9/11 that featured jazz and classical saxophonist Branford Marsalis.